The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

PRIMACY OF PETER. 125He saith to him : Feed My lambs. He saith to himagain Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me : ? Hesaith to Him :Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I loveThee. He saith to him : Feed My lambs. He saithto him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovestthou Me ? Peter was grieved because He had saidto him the third time: Lovest thou me? And hesaid to him :Lord, Thou knowest all things. Thouknowest that I love Thee. He said to Mm : FeedMy sheep."1These words were addressed by our Lord to Peterafter His resurrection. The whole sheepfold ofChrist is confided to him, without any exception orlimitation.Peter has jurisdiction not only over thelambs, the weak and tender portion of the flock,by which are understood the faithful but also;overthe sheep,i. e. }the Pastors themselves, who hold thesame relations to their congregations that the sheephold to the lambs, because they bring forth, untoJesus Christ, and nourish the spiritual lambs of thefold. To other Pastors a certain portion of theflock is assigned; to Peter, the entire fold; for,never did Jesus say to any other Apostle or Bishopwhat He said to Peter : Feed My whole flock.Candid reader, do you not profess to be a memberof Christ s flo^k ? Yes, you answer. Do you takeyour spiritual food from Peter, and from his successor ? and do you hear the voice of Peter ? or have11*1John xxi. 16-17.