A: 21st Sun of OrdTime (23 Aug 2020) - TO LOCK OR TO UNLOCK (Mt 16:13-19)

“I 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 16:19).

These are the words of Jesus to Peter after the latter professed his messiahship and divine sonship (v. 16). Interesting here is the use of the analogy of “keys” that can both lock and unlock something. Accordingly, these two functions are revealed in our gospel text today. On the one hand, Peter’s so-called keys can bind something; but this binding is not necessarily comprehended as locking up something since it can refer also to tying a knot (cf. Mt 21:2a) or joining together into bundles (cf. Mt 13:30). On the other hand, these keys can also loosen, which can be read, too, as to break free (cf. Mt 5:19) or to untie something (cf. Mt 21:2b).

To understand better the meaning of “keys” in Mt 16:19, it is helpful to juxtapose it with other biblical occurrences. In the Old Testament, “kleis,” the Greek word for “keys” occurs three times, viz., Judg 3:25; 1 Chr 9:27; Job 31:22. In Judg 3:25, the idea of unlocking is clearly conveyed: “Finally they took the key and opened the doors.” Opening a portal is expressed similarly in 1 Chr 9:27: “For they were assigned to guard it and would open it with the keyevery morning.” Meanwhile, the lexeme occurs six times in the New Testament, viz., Mt 16:19; Lk 11:52; Rev 1:2; 3:7; 9:1; 20:1. In all of them, the function of keys to unlock is central. But an added feature is underlined, i.e., a reprimand of those who fail to open God’s gifts as seen in Lk 11:52: “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

In a nutshell, the basic biblical employment of “kleis” is to unlock. Thus, Jesus’ statement to Peter is a trusting of the mission of keeping heaven’s door always open to those who persevere to enter it, and not the contrary. As the main guardian, Peter must be a rock of encouragement to God’s assembly (the literal meaning of “ekklesia” or “church”), giving hope to the faithful that heaven is reachable… and is not shut outright to those who sin and fail in life.

In our current situation of pandemic, the word “lockdown” has become a staple word. It is interchangeably used with “quarantine” to refer to the closure of the public streets lest COVID-19 is uncontrollably spread in the open. While such a measure is laudable in battling the crisis, locking down should not be done irresponsibly to the point that the poor have nothing to eat or the sick and elderly are not anymore attended to. Sadly, this scenario is noticeable especially in Third World countries as the daily sustenance and survival of the most vulnerable members of the society are often overlooked and ignored. While the efforts to contain the virus are of optimal concern, government leaders should not sweep under the rag the basic problems of hunger, shelter, health, well-being, livelihood, and survival of the majority of the population.

Forced to comply with imposed anti-poor measures, the general population should not be blamed in concluding that lockdowns favor the rich and the privileged more than anyone else. Indeed, blessed are those who have comfortable houses with big refrigerators, air-conditioners, wi-fi, Netflix, water, electricity, and spacious living quarters for they can observe social distancing in an enhanced community quarantine. But how about the have-nots of society? I hope we can regularly open the doors that they may survive. There is no excuse in neglecting to care for them since we always carry the very keys to unlock God’s love and compassion.

- Rex Fortes, CM