I think that the worst sin is the denial of Christ. This is called formal apostasy. Christians who convert to some religions have to do this. Fill in the blank.......
This sin means that one knows that Christ is God, the Messiah, the Son of God and, still, one denies Him in a public setting.
The First Pope committed the sin of formal apostasy. He denied Christ, not once, given the chance to change his mind, but three times.
We read about this sin several times in the Liturgical Year.
God knew Peter would deny him.
God chose Peter to be the First Pope.
Years later, Peter was running away from the persecution of the Catholics in Rome.
God stopped him, and Peter turned around and went back.
Peter is one of the Twelve Apostles raised up by God equal and greater than the leaders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
We are all called to perfection. Some respond better than others. Some try to avoid suffering. Some sin grievously I do not throw stones. I am a sinner.
Should a great sinner not accept, in fact, refuse immediately, a high position in the hierarchy of the Church? Yes, that would be the perfect thing to do.
Peter did not refuse to be Pope. Pope Peter did not resign because of past sins.
Peter sinned, seriously, and the media would have made mincemeat of him.
Can you imagine the headlines? I have two possible ones above, and more here.
"Catholic Church Loses Dubious Leader" (The Tabula)
"Pope Denied God Thirty Years Ago" (Rome Guardian)
"Pope Lied to Woman in Night Encounter" (Sanhedrin Times)
"Three Witnesses Come Forward Against Pope Peter" (Temple Telegraph)
"Owner of Rooster Saw Cowardly Pope" (Daily Jerusalem Mail)
God is Love.
The media does not understand love, only money.
Just a thought for today....
