The keys of Saint Peter, also called the Keys of Heaven, refer to the metaphorical keys given to Saint Peter by Jesus Christ before his ascent to heaven. These keys are said to open the doorway to heaven.
The crossed keys symbol was earlier associated with the Roman God Janus, remover of obstacles and keeper of doorways. Janus is the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, and doorways, meaning in Latin “arched passage, doorway.” Christians have adopted this pagan symbol for our own purposes.
In the Gospel of Matthew 16:19, Jesus says: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” This quotation is the basis for papal authority. St. Peter’s basilica in the Vatican is in the shape of a key.
The keys symbolize faith, trust, and our responsibility to carry on Jesus’s work in the world. The keys in our pocket remind us that although our influence is less than the Pope’s, we are God’s instruments in the world. Every action can open a door.
The metaphorical Christian keys must also be renewed. Christmas is a time to remember Jesus calling us and renew our response to that call by opening doors on earth.
—Larry Esposito
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