Scriptural Basis
Matthew 16:13-20
Blog Reflection
The Gospel for today is among the most controversial between Catholic, Orthodox, Anglicans and Protestants.
Roman Catholics believe the confession of Peter and Jesus giving him the "keys of the kingdom of heaven" and the power to bind or loose things on earth and heaven makes Peter the first Pope.
The Orthodox have believed that the Roman Tradition has misinterpreted this Gospel. The question of the authority of the Pope for the Orthodox was among the many issues concerning the Filioque controversy in the Nicene Creed.
As for Anglicans/Episcopalians we recognize Peter's confession and Jesus' remarks after suggests that he was the first among the Apostles, but that Peter was no more or less fallible than anyone else.
Peter responded to Jesus' question "who do you say that I am" with a confession that was based on his personal experience (reason) and conviction. However, it is impossible to notice that the confession was made by the disciple who two weeks ago was afraid of the storm around him and began to sink. In the verses following this exchange, Jesus tells Peter "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me:" (Mt: 16:23). We also know that Peter denied Jesus three times during Jesus' trial and crucifixion.
Even after the Pentecost event in Acts 10: 9-16, God confronted Peter about his own prejudices and helped him see how he can do God's work among people who are different from himself.
The Church is still under construction. The Church has made great strides throughout it's history. The Church has also failed as the leaders from the Pope on to any local church board have also faced the reality of their own human flaws. Those who lead the Church are just as in need of the redemption Christ won for all humanity as any person. The Church is full of wisdom and often guided by blind stupidity.
The Holy Spirit has been inspiring many church bodies, denominations and people to a change of heart and understanding with regards to women, LGBT people, folks of other races, languages, etc. Church's have been opening their doors and hearts with the understanding of Paul in today's reading from Romans 12: 2 to "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds."
The Church cannot be God's representative of mercy and transformation if we continue to rely on Biblical literalism to guide our thinking about sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. The Church cannot call for justice and peace on earth by promoting "justifyable wars" that targets Muslims in America and abroad. The Church does not demonstrate being "transformed by the renewal of your minds" by ignoring the reality of the violence by the Tea Party and pretending like there is no immigration discrimination issue. As long as there are Church leaders and bodies promoting sexism that denies the equal rights and opportunities for women we are "conforming to this world".
Christians must always be open to learning more about God and others around us. There are people without health insurance and facing the reality of poverty and deprivation that need someone to love them and help provide for their needs. The Church is called to bind up social evils and to set justice, equality and inclusion loose to bring about the reign of God's love and holy indwelling.
The Church was not built upon the work of dominionism and bigotry that are promoted and encouraged by Christianist organizations. The stones of the Church become ugly and crumble when Christianists target Muslims, Jews and LGBT people through prayer gatherings to propel the most radical presidential candidate to promote corporate greed and social intolerance. The Church does not glorify God and help people choose Jesus Christ by supporting "second amendment remedies" towards President Obama and others people supporting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and programs for the poor and impoverished.
The Church must always be open to further construction, correction and the confession of the life of Jesus who sought the marginalized and those who felt hopeless about the direction of their lives. The Body of Christ comprises of every person including LGBT and others stigmatized by the Church and society with the opportunity to create community and families where everyone is welcomed and reconciliation is consistently pursued with no apology.
How can we help the Church to continue in the work of construction? What role is God calling us to with Christians and Christianists divided about who to welcome and how to pursue reconciliation? How can we help the Church fulfill it's sense of mission in the world?
May God lead us all to better days for all who seek peace, justice, equality and inclusion.
Prayers
Matthew 16:13-20
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Blog Reflection
The Gospel for today is among the most controversial between Catholic, Orthodox, Anglicans and Protestants.
Roman Catholics believe the confession of Peter and Jesus giving him the "keys of the kingdom of heaven" and the power to bind or loose things on earth and heaven makes Peter the first Pope.
The Orthodox have believed that the Roman Tradition has misinterpreted this Gospel. The question of the authority of the Pope for the Orthodox was among the many issues concerning the Filioque controversy in the Nicene Creed.
As for Anglicans/Episcopalians we recognize Peter's confession and Jesus' remarks after suggests that he was the first among the Apostles, but that Peter was no more or less fallible than anyone else.
Peter responded to Jesus' question "who do you say that I am" with a confession that was based on his personal experience (reason) and conviction. However, it is impossible to notice that the confession was made by the disciple who two weeks ago was afraid of the storm around him and began to sink. In the verses following this exchange, Jesus tells Peter "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me:" (Mt: 16:23). We also know that Peter denied Jesus three times during Jesus' trial and crucifixion.
Even after the Pentecost event in Acts 10: 9-16, God confronted Peter about his own prejudices and helped him see how he can do God's work among people who are different from himself.
The Church is still under construction. The Church has made great strides throughout it's history. The Church has also failed as the leaders from the Pope on to any local church board have also faced the reality of their own human flaws. Those who lead the Church are just as in need of the redemption Christ won for all humanity as any person. The Church is full of wisdom and often guided by blind stupidity.
The Holy Spirit has been inspiring many church bodies, denominations and people to a change of heart and understanding with regards to women, LGBT people, folks of other races, languages, etc. Church's have been opening their doors and hearts with the understanding of Paul in today's reading from Romans 12: 2 to "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds."
The Church cannot be God's representative of mercy and transformation if we continue to rely on Biblical literalism to guide our thinking about sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. The Church cannot call for justice and peace on earth by promoting "justifyable wars" that targets Muslims in America and abroad. The Church does not demonstrate being "transformed by the renewal of your minds" by ignoring the reality of the violence by the Tea Party and pretending like there is no immigration discrimination issue. As long as there are Church leaders and bodies promoting sexism that denies the equal rights and opportunities for women we are "conforming to this world".
Christians must always be open to learning more about God and others around us. There are people without health insurance and facing the reality of poverty and deprivation that need someone to love them and help provide for their needs. The Church is called to bind up social evils and to set justice, equality and inclusion loose to bring about the reign of God's love and holy indwelling.
The Church was not built upon the work of dominionism and bigotry that are promoted and encouraged by Christianist organizations. The stones of the Church become ugly and crumble when Christianists target Muslims, Jews and LGBT people through prayer gatherings to propel the most radical presidential candidate to promote corporate greed and social intolerance. The Church does not glorify God and help people choose Jesus Christ by supporting "second amendment remedies" towards President Obama and others people supporting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and programs for the poor and impoverished.
The Church must always be open to further construction, correction and the confession of the life of Jesus who sought the marginalized and those who felt hopeless about the direction of their lives. The Body of Christ comprises of every person including LGBT and others stigmatized by the Church and society with the opportunity to create community and families where everyone is welcomed and reconciliation is consistently pursued with no apology.
How can we help the Church to continue in the work of construction? What role is God calling us to with Christians and Christianists divided about who to welcome and how to pursue reconciliation? How can we help the Church fulfill it's sense of mission in the world?
May God lead us all to better days for all who seek peace, justice, equality and inclusion.
Prayers
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 232),
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, Page 816).
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 833).
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