Personal Comments on biblical references to the Pope

When I read the letters of Peter from the bible, it always astonishes me to think that I am actually reading the first pope's words of wisdom. I took some time to scrutinize some of the passages in the Gospels and to look more closely at the relationship between Christ Jesus and Peter.

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Peter and Christ had such a strong relationship. Peter is the one that acknowledges that Jesus is the Messiah (Greek for "the Anointed One")--the Christ (Mt. 16, 16; Lk 9, 20). Even so, when Christ appears to the apostles after his resurrection and has breakfast with them, he asks Peter if he loves Christ three times (Jn 20, 15:17). Just as Peter denied Christ three times before (Lk 22, 56:62), Peter now proclaims his love for Christ three times.

There is no doubt that Christ has a special and strong relationship with Peter.

Peter is weak in faith, as when he became scared in the sea when he walked out to meet Christ (Mt 14, 29:31) or when he not only denies but curses and swears against Christ (Mk 14, 67:71). Despite his frail faith Christ always speaks to him with love and compassion. Peter knows he does not deserve to be near Christ. Pope John Paul II writes in his book Crossing the Threshold of Hope[1] that everyone is in debt to Peter when he says “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (Lk 5, 8) Christ answers in very simple words, words that Pope John Paul II always uses in his writings: “do not be afraid” (Lk 5, 10).

Out of the twelve disciples, Christ tells him to tend his sheep.

The Catholic Church refers back to the Gospel of Matthew for the bible verse where Christ gives Peter the ‘keys of the kingdom,’ making Peter the first Pope of the Church.

“And I tell you, you are Peter (Petros) and on this rock (petra) I will build my church … 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.” (Mt. 16, 18:19)

Christ Jesus makes other references to Peter caring for the followers of Christ in other passages. When Jesus predicts Peter’s denial in the Gospel of Luke, he also reveals that Christ has prayed that Peter’s faith will not fail, “and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Lk 22, 32). This is where Christ reveals that Peter will become responsible for the faith of others (Moran, 388)[2]. Peter is called to strengthen others in the faith. At first he was instructed by Jesus as one of the twelve apostles. Then he becomes a witness of Christ’s death and resurrection. When Jesus appears to seven of the apostles and has breakfast with them, he asks Peter if he loves him three times. After Peter replies, Christ says “feed my lambs,” “tend my sheep,” “feed my sheep” (Jn 21, 15:17)

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[1] John Paul II. Crossing the Threshold of Hope. "The Pope": A Scandal and a Mystery (pg. 4)

[2] Moran, Luis R. El Misterio de Cristo en la Historia de la Salvacion. Spain 1967

So lovely

It's only a matter of time before my eyes begin to sparkle at the sight of you. In such a crowded room, my eyes only see you. You, who enters the room so discretely, capture my attention.

You walk straight towards me.

Your tender hand reaches out to mine as an invitation awaiting a response. I blush, tilt my head to my shoulder, and smile as I look at your open hand. Slowly I pluck the courage to breath and raise my hand. I place it on yours.

Your smile, so sweet and tender. You caress my hand with your thumb and lunge me forward.

Soon we start to dance. At first very upbeat and fast. Later, a more moderate dance. Soon, a slow paced dance. I hold on to you and close my eyes, thinking of the beautiful things you've introduced me to--dancing, music, laughter, feelings. You hold me in your arms like nothing else matters but this moment that we share together.

You look at me, move my hair out of my face, smile, and speak those secret words.

I love you.

I beam radiantly at those words and reply back.

I love you too.

We smile at each other's smile, laugh, and begin to dance the night away.

Thoughts on Religion

It is often spoken. The chosen ones hear it, take it in, and become followers. It is a simple understanding that opens eyes and cleanses the soul. It is a life-changing phenomenon. A miracle. No other life or object or pursuit or pleasure exists after taking in the news. Nothing else brings everlasting joy or eternal life. It's a beauty that makes you want to give yourself entirely. It's a truth that makes you want to become a better person, lend a hand to others, and share the goodness that you've discovered to the rest of the world. It is not selfish or boastful or arrogant, but rather hopeful, loving, patient, and kind.

To accept the ultimate truth--that is the task. "What is truth?" How can you distinguish between truth and falsity? How can you answer morality questions without a main core, a reference point, a comforting start--a beginning.

I hear whispers here and there. Murmurs. Soft lips letting questions slip into the midst of strangers. One word. Three letters. "GOD." One word. So what, I say. There are many. What distinguishes a real one from all of the fake ones? What about my job, my finance, my education, my success in life, my hard work, my knowledge, my science, my abilities, my facade, my material things, my lovers, my imagination, my everything? So what. God? What is that? I built this house, I decorated it, I raised my kids, I worked double shifts, I this and I that. My life has not known a 'god' and I've been very well off.

Why are we so resistant to the good news? Why does it bug us to hear those three words; those ever-hopeful, loving and comforting words?

GOD LOVES YOU

Three powerful words in such a simple sentence: (1) God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth; the definition of love; the Holy Father; the ultimate friend. (2) Love, the strongest emotion that makes us feel like there is a meaning to our existence; the selfless act of giving oneself to another; the respect and admiration towards others; the utmost realization that you are not alone. (3) You, the chosen creation, created in God's image; the reason for salvation; the salt and light on earth.

How? Because He sent his only son --Jesus Christ-- to die on the Cross so that OUR SINS can be forgiven-- so that the path to heaven can be open for us, and so that we can become a new creation.

If this is believed, all else follows.

The 12th Man triumphs over the Cornhuskers

[Football player]

The sweat rolls down my face. I close my eyes and pray, "God, please help me be the best I can ever be. Tonight, this night, this is our night. Do you hear that? Do your angels sing this loud? Have they ever been as in unison as these cries Oh Lord? Let them give me strength."

[crowd]

" ... We've got to fight boys, we've got to fight! We've got to fight for Maroon and White!..."

[Coach]

From beginning to end boys, you've given it everything. I don't expect anything more than your continuous perfect performance. This crowd, listen to this crowd. Can you feel the intense atmosphere? Don't you hear your school backing you all up? I know the clock ticks away. If your legs are cramping, if your body is reaching its limit, if your breath won't support your body any longer-- look up. Look at the stands and listen to the chorus of the Twelve Man!

[crowd]

"Good luck to dear old Texas Aggies. They are the boys who show the real old fight..."

[commentators]

"With a minute left of the game and Texas A&M leading Nebraska 9 to 6, all the Aggies have to do is hold up the Cornhusker's offense."

"I tell ya' Harry, I've never heard a crowd as loud as this one.. This sure does feel like a record-breaking phenomenon!"

"I gotta hand it to them, Bob. With all of these personal fouls from the Nebraska team.. Coach Bo Pelini must be throwing fits down on the sidelines."

"Either way, this 12th Man is sure givin' them a hard rock to roll!"

[crowd]

"We're gonna beat you all to Chigaroogarem

Chigaroogarem

Rough, Tough, Real stuff, Texas A&M.

"Saw Varsity's Horns Off

Saw Varsity's Horns Off

Saw Varsity's Horns Off

Short! A! WHOOP!"

[Narrator]

The wind kept blowing in A&M's favor all night. A myriad of white 12th man towels filled the air. A mantle of maroon covered the decks in Kyle Field all game long. The Aggie spirit swayed left to right as 90,000 fans became one. With seconds left of the game, the Ags overcome the cornhuskers with a turnover. Ryan Tannehill kneels and the time left over continues to run. The sea of maroon floods the field and the Aggies begin a celebration not experienced in a long time.

Allie loves Kristie

Oh Kristie how I love thee

your smile is like sun on a tree

Your asianess is apple in a pie

your sugar is more sugary than sugar

I'm happy and no one else can beat

the happiness you have given me

On the Horizon

On the horizon there I see,

A small silouette

buzzing like a bee.

What contemplations must this be?

For I know none

who is as glee.

On the horizon there I see,

A young, tall man

as big as a tree!

What aspirations are within thee?

For you are sole-ly

the one for me.

(comment by the author: This poem was meant to be lively and funny, nothing too deep.)

I found you

Just another squeak, just one more squeak. Please, swing, please squeak again before I jump off and land back to reality. It must be nice to swing back and forth forever. Nothing to worry about, just the rhythm-- that back and forth with a squeak at each point. No worries, no thoughts, no responsibilities.

The leaves are falling, some pass by me. Each leave dances and falls in place with the rhythm of the blowing wind. The brown colours fused with redish yellow match my olive jacket. My braids wait on the strength of the wind to lift them up. Come alive, little ones. Come back to life. Don't you feel the wind blowing hard; it's trying so hard. And these eyes, why must you be so cast down? Oh eyes, does the wind not move you? Cheeks, why won't you add some support for the smile you once knew?

I look up at the falling leaves above me and close my eyes. Just one wish is on my mind. All of my face is in waiting. All is tense for a second. Nothing to wait for, nothing to move me.

But wait, what holds my cheeks now? What strokes my cheeks so tenderly? The corners of the mouth begin to reach up as if to wake up the cheeks. Slowly my lips part. My cheeks begin to redden. Suddenly, my muscles begin to work, a smile creeps up on my face, and my eyes become alive.

"Eureka," you say.

"You found me," I reply.