A lot of people have something to say about the Pope and the Catholic Church right now. In a digital age, I guess we shouldn’t expect anything less. From major networks to self-acclaimed ‘influencers,’ the upcoming papal conclave has captivated the world’s attention, and for good reason: who will be the 266th successor to Peter?
While many media voices seem like mere white noise or even grabs for drive-by attention (save the few, respectable ones that are faithful to the process), there is one particular voice that I wish to pay special attention to, that is, Peter himself. What would the Apostle say if he could speak to the College of Cardinals on the eve of their first vote? Thankfully, we don’t have to wonder—all we have to do is open our Bibles to that little but powerful letter of 1 Peter.
“The First Letter of Peter,” writes Keating, “is a hidden gem, tucked away among the catholic epistles [James–Jude], just waiting to be discovered.”[1] It is a treasure trove of a letter that speaks with clarity and conviction to a suffering Church, called to imitate her suffering Lord. Near the end of the letter in chapter five, Peter instructs the “elders” of his audience how to “shepherd the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2). It’s a beautiful completion of the younger Peter’s struggle for faith in the Gospels, recalling the risen Christ’s exhortation to him after his three-fold denial: “Tend my sheep” (John 21:16).
Now in his later writing and apostolic ministry, the first Pontiff and Keeper of the Keys, the Prince of Apostles, advises the next generation of ‘episcopates’ (i.e., bishops), leaving them with a similar exhortation to tend the sheep of Christ.
I urge us all to keep these words close in mind and in prayer, especially as the College of Cardinals will now convene to elect for us a new Pontiff. Once elected, how should this Bishop of Rome conceive of his supreme duty? What shape should his heart and ministry take? Let us listen carefully to the words of Peter to his successor and, as Scripture, let us use these verses as an opportunity to intercede on behalf of the forthcoming Pope:
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
A few things worth noting:
(1) He is a fellow elder. Though given the keys to the kingdom of God (cf. Matthew 16:16), his authority is only exercised in communion with his fellow bishops, or overseers. He speaks with authority, but at the same time he speaks as one of the brethren.
(2) The duty of oversight—or simply, being a bishop—is not received out of compulsion, but it is an invitation to serve, just as their Lord and Christ served them (cf. John 13:15). The ministry of Peter will not look like the rulers and powers of this world, but will be marked by the cross-shaped love of Jesus.
(3) The Bishop of Rome will de facto be an overnight global leader, both practically and spiritually. Far exceeding any responsibility or skill of diplomacy, though, the faithful overseer is called to be an example to the flock of that chief Shepherd, Jesus. He is to be the hands and feet of Christ, holy and blameless, as “he who called you is holy” (1 Peter 1:15). As his fellow Apostle, Paul, would similarly say: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
United with Peter, let us pray that our newly elected Holy Father will exercise his authority with grace and dignity. May his shepherding radiate the Chief Shepherd, Jesus. “To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:11).
[1] Daniel Keating, First and Second Peter, Jude, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011), 17.
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