Father Brian: "The holder of the keys to a palace or to the city portals holds great power. One did not lightly hand over the keys to one’s domain. The old skeleton key has been retired or reduced to ornament. Now we have access codes, passwords, pins and combinations. But they all do what the clunky keys once did. They control access. What are they to protect? What to unlock? Who gains admittance? And to what?

This weekend the first reading and the Gospel both speak of the role of one who holds the keys. In the first reading, it goes poorly for Shebna, the holder of the palace keys at the capital. Isaiah has to deliver the bad news that Shebna is not a trustworthy holder of the keys. Isaiah informs him that he will be thrust down and a new one will replace him. Shebna’s error was that he went along with the king’s decision to form military alliances with other nations. This military policy was expressly counter to the will of the Lord. The merging of nations meant the dilution of the religion of Israel, the introduction of other gods, the betrayal of the covenant established on Mount Sinai and renewed with David. No ambassadorial niceties
here: The symbols of the office—the robe and sash and key—would be placed on another’s shoulders...”

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