Today we celebrate a special feast revolving around Peter, the Pope, and apostolic succession. In these days while the successor to St. Peter is on retreat, it seems timely to share a reflection on the chair that someone once shared with me. Above is a picture of this year's NAC diaconate class who were ordained right before the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica.
Around the chair are four Doctors (excelling teachers) of the Church, Saints Ambrose, Athanatius, Chrysostom, and Augustine. At first glance it appears that they are holding up the Chair. As if to say the bishops (the successors of the apostles), with the authority and grace given to them by virtue of their ordination and office, support the Church and carry it on through time. But that is mistaken. Bernini, the artist who created this set, had a clearer vision of ecclesiology and the Church's teaching about herself. You probably cannot see it in the picture, but it requires a longer, more reflective look.
If you look closely, the Doctors are not actually holding up the Chair. They are, as it were, loosely connected to it by ribbons hanging from the chair which signify that they do indeed possess an authority and responsibility and a power in being connected to the Chair. But they are not the support to the Chair. So, if it is not the successors of the apostles who hold up the Chair, who support the Church, who does? If you look closely again, reflect on what you are seeing again, you will see. What holds up the Chair is a cloud that comes ushering forth from behind, a cloud that comes from the Holy Spirit window above. It is the Holy Spirit who sustains the Church, who carries on the mission of Christ through the Church. This is a strength that does not, cannot fail! By the power of the Holy Spirit the Church is united with its Head, Jesus Christ. And by God's good grace, that power is revealed in men, the bishops who have retained connected to the Chair by apostolic succession. Jesus chose to build His Church on Peter, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18-19). That God would give such power to men, what trust our Lord gives to us! What trust might we offer back to Him by our fidelity to His Church.
Today, I got to pray at St. Peter's, pray for the Pope, our bishops, and whoever the next successor to Peter will be. Pope Benedict XVI, especially these last 2 weeks has been trying to teach us to trust not in a particular man, but in Christ - after all, its His Church. We certainly are grateful for Pope Benedict XVI, and we have seen God work powerfully through him. He is telling us now the story of the Chair: its not he who holds up the Church and is strength is fading - but God's is not, and He will continue to provide for His Church.
Take some time today for "retreat", even for 5 min. Take a closer look again, reflect again, and you will see a little more of the truth of these days, what the Lord is revealing to us at this time.
No comments:
Post a Comment