In Isaiah 22:19-23, God chooses Eliakim to have authority over his people: “I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open.”  

In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus chooses Peter to have authority in his Church, using almost the same words: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 

Every right and every authority is given by God to enable the fulfillment of some obligation. Eliakim’s obligation was: “He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.” That meant he was responsible for their well-being. And God would hold him accountable for it. The obligation Jesus laid on Peter was to “Strengthen your brothers” in faith and “Feed my sheep.” (See Luke 22:31-32; John 21:15-17.) 

All those to whom God gives authority in the Church are “servants of the servants of God.” This makes them, in an official and specific way, what every Christian is as a member of the body of Christ: a “one for the many.” All Christians anointed to Christ’s mission by Baptism have the responsibility as priests to nurture others and “build up the Church.” And as stewards of the kingship of Christ, to work for the common good. But some are also given power through authority. This lays specific burdens on their shoulders. 

That is why we pray especially during the Intercessions at Mass for those in the Church who bear the heavy duty of authority. We first pray by name for “N. our Pope, N. our bishop,” and we add, “and all the clergy.” We single these out, not because they are “more important” than the laity, but because our focus is on unity, and the first duty of authorities is to hold the Church together. Authorities are responsible for keeping the Church united; leaders for moving it forward. A leader does not have to have authority, and not all authorities have significant gifts of leadership. But because authorities have power, and because the way they use it has so much impact on the Church—and also because power puts them in so much danger of corruption—we pray especially for the clergy and bishops in every Mass. We would be fools to forget Lord Acton’s words: “Power corrupts….” We take the words seriously, and we pray. 

We need to pray for our bishop as spouses pray for each other. And we value our bishops for more than whatever gifts or talents they have. The bishops are our historical link with the community that first gathered around Jesus. Our connection with the bishop connects us vertically with all the bishops who preceded him, reaching back to the time of the apostles. Horizontally, it connects us with all the other bishops and their churches, “throughout the world.” In one word, we need the bishops for unity. 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 138)  sums up our faith and our hope: “Lord, your love is eternal. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”  

Prayer Prompt: Do I specifically and consistently pray especially for the clergy and bishops? Suggestion: During the Intercessions, pray for union with and unity within the Church. 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #121, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.