The Papacy - part 2

In our last reflection, we saw how Simon being renamed by Jesus, from Simon to Peter, was deeply rooted in the Old Testament and was highly significant: it indicated Peter’s role in God’s plan of salvation.

We are all familiar with the name Peter meaning rock, indicating a solid foundation on which Jesus’ Church would be built.  But what is this Church?  In English, the word church can mean several things.  But the Greek word used here in the Gospel was ekklesia (or ecclesia) and specifically referred to a group of people who have been called out of the world and to God – an assembly or congregation. 

So here, church doesn’t mean building or even the ‘institution’, but the gathered, assembled people of God.  Again, there are echoes of the Old Testament when the Assembly of Israel would be called out from their homes to gather in the Temple and worship the Lord. 

We cannot over emphasise the importance of the temple to the Jewish people.  It was the central place of worship, of offering, and of spiritual life.  It was the only location where the prescribed sacrifices could be offered and it was quite literally the dwelling place of God's presence on earth.

All Jews, including the apostles, would know that the Temple had a very important rock or stone; the Eben Shetiyah or foundation stone.  This was in the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant used to be.  On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on this foundation stone.

Therefore, when Peter and the other apostles heard these words of Jesus, they would eventually come to understand that Jesus was talking about a new Assembly, a new ekklesia.  This Assembly would be the new Temple that was foretold by Isaiah and other prophets.

And Peter would be the foundation of this new Israel, this new Assembly of God.