Chain of Command and a Simple Choice

When I learned who currently held the authority my Lord gave Simon Peter, recorded in Matthew 16:13-19, I didn't have much choice: I had to join the Catholic Church.

In a sense, I 'knew too much.'

I could either claim to follow Jesus and acknowledge the Son of God's authority, passed along in unbroken succession through the rise and fall of kingdoms, empires, and civilizations — or not. As Simon Peter said, it's a simple choice:

"Jesus then said to the Twelve, 'Do you also want to leave?'

"Simon Peter answered him, 'Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

"We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.' "
(John 6:67-69)

That's "simple," not "easy." My Lord was quite clear about what we should expect if we follow the Son of God. (Matthew 10:38; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; John 13:15, 36)

Like the song says:

"By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track...."
(Once to Every Man and Nation; Lyrics by James R. Low­ell, in the Bos­ton Cour­i­er, De­cem­ber 11, 1845. Music by Thom­as J. Will­iams)

Somewhat-related posts:

• "Addition, Subtraction, and Lent"
  (March 2, 2014)
• "Standing Orders and Spider-Man"
  (June 30, 2013)
• "A Prayer for Clouded Hearts"
  (December 4, 2011)
• " 'Come Back When You're Sure' "
  (June 15, 2011)
• "The Village, the Fence and the Sign"
  A fable (December 5, 2010)