Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/689

 He  gave  him  the  assurance  that  his  faith  would  not  fail,  and  entrusted him with  the  office  of  confirming  his  brethren  in  faith. As a matter of fact  Peter’s  faith  never  did  waver,  for  he  did  not  cease  to  believe, even when  he  lacked  the  courage  to  confess  his  faith. Our Blessed Lord destined  him  to  be  the  foundation  of  His  Church,  and  on  that account prayed  that  his  faith  might  ever  be  firm  and  untarnished,  so that  he  might  act  as  a prop  to  the  faith  of  his  brethren. By so  doing our Lord  Jesus  Christ  appointed  St.  Peter  to  be  the  supreme  teacher of His  Church,  his  office  being  to  maintain  and  confirm  all  members of His  Church  in  the  true  faith;  and  He  gave  to  him  moreover  the special grace  that  his  faith  should  never  fail;  in  other  words,  that he should  be  infallible  in  the  exercise  of  this  office. How could  Peter confirm his  brethren  in  the  true  faith,  unless  he  himself  were  preserved from error  in  matters  of  faith? His infallibility  in  the  exercise  of  his office has,  together  with  the  office  itself,  descended  from  Peter  to  his successors, the  Supreme  Pontiffs  of  the  Catholic  Church. An infallible teacher who  can  maintain  his  brethren,  his  fellow-Christians,  in  the  true faith, is  as  necessary  to  the  Church  now  as  it  was  in  the  days  of  St. Peter. The Roman  See  has  always  proved  itself  to  be  the  guardian  and  protector of the  true  faith,  by  giving,  in  virtue  of  the  divine  office  committed  to it,  unerring  decisions  in  matters  of  dispute,  and  rejecting  all  false  doctrines.

What happened  to  St.  Peter  ought  to  make you guard  very  carefully  against  over-confidence  in  yourself,  and make you  pray  fervently:  “Lead  us  not  into  temptation!”

ESUS, seeing  that  they  were  sad  at  what  He  said,  consoled them, saying:  “In  My  Father’s  house  there  are  many  mansions ; I go  to  prepare  a place  for  you. I will come  again and will  take  you  to  Myself,  that  where  I am  you  also  may  be. And where  I go  you  know,  and  the  way  you  know.”  But  Thomas