Christ is our Shepherd who gave up his life for his sheep by dying on the Cross for the forgiveness of sins. He ultimately cares for us by the abundance of his grace. But the life of grace in this life comes through the Church. Through baptism we begin our life in Christ which must be brought to the conscious level by the Christian community. This community looks to the Bishops and Peter's successor for guidance and understanding

After the resurrection, "Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' " (Jn 21:15)

During the installation of Pope Benedict XVI this was symbolized by laying on his shoulder the Pallium, a stole made from sheep wool.

Christ gave the care of Christians to be nourished by his word and Sacraments to Peter and his successors. One of the duties of the successors of Peter is the interpretation of Scripture. Scripture is not self-explanatory; it requires the Church's teaching authority to explain what the more important passages mean and how they are to be lived by the faithful. St. Peter wrote, " Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God." (2Pt 1:20-21) The same spirit who inspired scripture now abides in the Church and its understanding lies in the Church as a whole, with the guidance of the successors of the apostles and the Bishop of Rome.

Peter (Pope) feeds Christ's flock through the Sacramental Priesthood and Eucharistic Sacrifice. One day Christ told his followers that in order to have life they must eat his body and drink his blood. Many did not accept this and left Him. He turned to his apostles and asked them if they wanted to leave also. Peter said, "Where can we go, you have the words of everlasting life." Peter and the apostles believed even though they could not understand.

Protestants as a whole to not believe in a special sacrificial priesthood but only in the general priesthood of believers. As a consequence, they look upon the Eucharist as symbolical. In Article of Religion #28 we read, "The Body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten, in the Supper, only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper, is Faith." Are they correct? In so far as they do not have apostolic succession, they do not have the power to consecrate bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, therefore, symbolic understanding of the Eucharist is a reality for them. Some Anglicans may have a valid priesthood but they also do not believe in a sacrificial priesthood.

Pope Benedict XVI has now the difficult task to bring our separated brothers a true understanding of the priesthood and Eucharist.

See of Peter