Why do we call ourselves Roman Catholics?
Isn't Rome bad?
Rome is the enemy of Israel- it is the kingdom of Edom, as the sages aptly
described. Like Esav, the patriarch of Edom, they sought to dominate
Israel with pride, aggression, and bloodlust. They also persecuted the
followers of Christ. They are the descendants of Amalek, the destroyers of
innocence. The city of Rome is also the place which is called the 'throne'
of the dragon, that is- Satan, which is described in the Book of
Revelations. Many people are uncomfortable when they hear people say '*I
am Roman Catholic*".
What does that mean?
Why would anyone want to be associated with Rome?
For this we must turn to the story of Peter.
Peter went to Rome as the leader of the church when it was the capital of
the Roman Empire. When Nero's persecution broke out, he began to flee the
city when he met Jesus, who appeared to him.
Peter asked Jesus, "*Quo vadis, Domine?" *which means, "*Where are you
going Lord?*"
Jesus replied, "*I am returning to Rome to be crucified.*"
So Peter followed the Lord back to the city of Rome. There he was captured
and condemned to crucifixion.
But Peter insisted that he be crucified upside down since he did not feel
worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.
There was an Egyptian obelisk which was repositioned by the Romans near the
place where Peter was crucified.
That obelisk is preserved to this day in St. Peter's square.
In the 1940's archaeologists finally found the bones of Peter in an ossuary
(bone box) deep beneath St. Peter's basilica.
Along with it was an inscription in Latin with the words, "*Peter is here.*"
Let us remember the path Peter took, not to run away but to accept our
cross.
The full totality of Rome, which is also called Babylon, Sodom and
Egypt- and its worldly influence will be totally destroyed at the time of
the return of Jesus. Until then, we have a duty to follow Jesus... into
the heart of the place of persecution, into the heart of the 'beast' if you
will- to free those who are being held in captivity by the devil- by the
'culture of death', by injustice, poverty and by all forms of materialism,
sin and idolatry. This is our purpose! It is only with our sacrifice of
our souls, that people will see the truth and be awakened. *In our world,
speech is increasingly cheap*- and thus we must live our life by example
and stand in the gap, some of us even giving our lives.
The church of Rome, St. Peter's Basilica, is the place where the
power of the first roman empire was destroyed. Dissolved by the blood of
the saints and martyrs and their sacrifice, having heeded the word of
Jesus- and having followed him to the cross. This is a most holy place for
us and the place which reminds us, during our time of exile, of Christ's
promise to destroy the power of death and remove its influence from the
earth. This is why we value the seat of St. Peter and we follow him.
*שלום*
יוסף Joseph
