The keys of heaven; Angels: Day 232

Who  has the authority to promise the keys of  Heaven? Not an angel, says St. Cyril of Alexandria, and not any of the other powers of Heaven. Responding to heretics who doubted the divinity of Jesus, St. Cyril says that only God himself can make a promise like that—even when God looks like a Galilean carpenter.

“And I tell you, you are Peter (that is, a rock), and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19). See how he makes himself at once the Lord of Heaven and of Earth. For he promises things that exceed our nature, and surpass the measure of humanity—in fact, they surpass even the measure of the angelic rank. They are appropriate to be bestowed only by that Nature whose glory and sovereignty transcend all.

First he says that the church belongs to him; the sacred Scriptures neverthe- less distinctly ascribe it rather to God, and to him only, saying that it is “the church of God.” For they say that “Christ presented it to himself, having neither spot nor stain, but holy rather, and blameless.” As God, therefore, he says that it is his, and indeed promises to found it, granting it to be unshaken, because he himself is the Lord of powers. And next he says that he gives him the keys of Heaven. Then who is it that thus pours forth language appropriate to God? Is it an angel? Is it some other intelligent power—a Principality, or Throne, or Dominion? Is it one of the holy Seraphs? Not at all. As I said before, such language belongs to Almighty God alone, to whom belongs the sovereignty of Earth and Heaven.

So do not let these innovators divide the one Christ, so as to say that one Son is the Word of God the Father, and that he who is of the seed of David is another Son. For Peter mentions only one Christ, the Only-begotten who became man and was made flesh.

–St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Luke, Sermon 49

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Do I respect the earthly hierarchy which God has given extraordinary power in Heaven as well? Do I recognize the gift God has given in letting men occupy the office of angels?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, strengthen those in Holy Orders who serve the Church with the assistance of your angels.

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