Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: The True Faith and Ministry of the Church

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 51:1-6 (NRSV)

Thus says the Lord:

"Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness,

you that seek the LORD.

Look to the rock from which you were hewn,

and to the quarry from which you were dug.

Look to Abraham your father

and to Sarah who bore you;

for he was but one when I called him,

but I blessed him and made him many.

For the LORD will comfort Zion;

he will comfort all her waste places,

and will make her wilderness like Eden,

her desert like the garden of the LORD;

joy and gladness will be found in her,

thanksgiving and the voice of song.

Listen to me, my people,

and give heed to me, my nation;

for a teaching will go out from me,

and my justice for a light to the peoples.

I will bring near my deliverance swiftly,

my salvation has gone out

and my arms will rule the peoples;

the coastlands wait for me,

and for my arm they hope.

Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

and look at the earth beneath;

for the heavens will vanish like smoke,

the earth will wear out like a garment,

and those who live on it will die like gnats;

but my salvation will be forever,

and my deliverance will never be ended."

Psalm 138 (BCP., p.793)


Romans 12: 1-8 (NRSV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV)

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

This Sunday's Gospel text is one of those that I wish we could skip.  It is a text that has been used to say many different things.  

In the Roman Catholic Tradition this is the text attributed to the Papacy.  Evangelical Christians have interpreted these words from Matthew's Gospel to say that it is only by confessing Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Son of God can one be saved.  More progressive theologians would say that this Gospel reflects that Christians confessed Jesus as the Son of God, but Jesus Himself did not.   This Gospel is also used every year on January 18 the Confession of St. Peter the Apostle in The Episcopal Churches' calendar.  It is a Holy Day with it's own collect in The Book of Common Prayer on page 238.

I recently began reading my next book in my formation.  The book is entitled Western Monasticism: A History of the Monastic Movement in the Latin Church written by Peter King.   I was reading through the first chapter about the beginnings of the Monastic Movement in Egypt.  I was quite struck by the following paragraphs.  

The first flowering of christian monasticism occurred at a critical time in the history of the Church.  In 313 the so-called Edict of Milan ended the persecution of Christians once and for all.  The Emperor Constantine soon began to look upon the Church as an important support of his monarchy and to grant it various privileges.  Christianity soon became the new state religion.  Bishops were now looked upon as the emperor's advisers and held important positions at court.  From having been persecuted, they became persecutors of those holding deviant opinions.

The consequent worldliness and lowering of standards did not go unnoticed.  Saint Jerome remarked that as the Church acquired princely might it became 'greater in power as measured by its wealth, but less in virtue'.  'Not all bishops are true bishops', he wrote, 'You notice Peter; but mark Judas as well....Ecclesiastical rank does not make a man a Christian'.  As for christian priests, There are other men...who only seek the office of presbyter and deacon that they may be able to visit freely.... When you seen these gentry, thing of them rather as potential bridegrooms than as clergymen'. (Pages 27,28).

I wanted to quote these words to you, my readers, as part of my own interpretation and application of this Gospel text.  It may or may not work among Scriptural and/or theological scholars, but, no one said it absolutely has to.

St. Paul in his letter to the Romans calls upon Christians to "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect. "   It would seem to me that the ministry of Jesus was about seeking the lost and lonely, bringing justice to the oppressed, and helped people find their way to God through love of God, neighbor and self.  The basis of such a ministry was the God came to us, as one like ourselves to show us the way to a relationship with the Divine, through a life of self sacrifice and devotion to the reparation of the human community.  It was more than a doctrine.  It was about more than what was decided by a Church council, or political party.  It was because God created all of us with the dignity as God's beloved.  In Christ Jesus, our relationship as God's beloved is redeemed, and with us God is well pleased.  If the Church only ministers to and for the wealthy, the powerful and the most privileged, the Church "conforms to this world."   When the Church works for the poor, marginalized and the lonely, it is being transformed by a renewed mind.

The confession of St. Peter and the words of Jesus to him in Matthew's Gospel are about the faith and ministry of the Church, by the grace of God.   They are not a statement of political and/or universal authority for the purpose of control.  The ministry of the so called Apostolic Succession is not only about twelve men, who declared by Sacred Scripture everything from the ordination of women, to justification for discrimination against LGBT people, Muslims, the Jewish people, African Americans and so forth.  It is precisely because of the faith and ministry of the words between Peter and Jesus that the Church should be more inclusive and abundant with diversity.

The late Archbishop Michael Ramsey said it best when he wrote:

The succession of bishops is not an isolated channel of grace, since from the first Christ bestows grace through every sacramental act of His Body.  But certain actions in the work of grace are confined to the bishops; and thereby the truth is taught that every local group or church depends on the one life of the one body, and that the church of any generation shares in the one historic society which is not past and dead but alive in the present.  Thus the church's full and continuous life in grace does depend upon the succession of Bishops, whose work, however is not isolated but bound up with the whole Body (The Gospel and the Catholic Church, p. 82, 83).

The work of confessing Jesus Christ, and the binding and losing of the Reign of God is the work of all Christians in whatever capacity they are in.  It does not matter what our race, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, wealth, health, etc.   What matters is that we bring the faith and ministry of the Church into where we are, who we meet and what we do.  We bring that faith to our work for justice for Michael Brown, and peace for Ferguson, Missouri.   We live the confession of our faith in our prayer and work, and in respecting the dignity and integrity of every human person, loving our neighbor as ourselves with God's help, in our Baptismal Vows.

Today's Gospel reading from Matthew is a call of grace upon all Christians, and the true hope for those who have been hurt by the Church and society, so that they may find some kind of peace, healing and reconciliation with God.  Whether they believe what they profess in the Nicene Creed or not.

May our faith and ministry as the Body of Christ mean that the Church fulfills it's mission, because we are all faithful to what Christ has called us to.

Amen.


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. (Proper 16: The Book of Common Prayer, p.232).

Gracious Father, we pray for thy 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 thy Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church, The Book of Common Prayer, p.816).

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.  (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, The Book of Common Prayer, p.818).

Confession of St. Peter: Faith and Doubt Lead to Grace

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 8: 4-13 (NRSV)

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is

`the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;

it has become the cornerstone.'

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.

Matthew 16: 13-19 (NRSV)

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."

Blog Reflection

As an individual who is still very new to the Episcopal Church, I have to write that there is a part of me that struggles intensely with this Holy Day. 

As Anglicans and Episcopalians are we not the people who do not claim the authority of the said to be Successor to St. Peter?  Yes, we are. 

The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Tradition are the via media between what is Catholic/Orthodox and what is Protestant.  Our worship and spirituality are very Catholic. Our leadership and polity, combined with our appreciation for the great Protestant reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, John and Charles Wesley make us very much like Protestants.  

So when I come to the date of January 18th and the Episcopal Church asks us to consider this Holy Day of the Confession of St. Peter, I find myself with a bit of confusion.   I have to spend some time in thought and prayer about what the Episcopal Church and our Anglican Tradition is really saying about Peter and his confession of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Peter is not exactly the best guy to be considered as the first among the Apostles.   He is stubborn. He is arrogant.  Peter's faith is not too great.  Peter has difficulties with Jesus.   Right after the Gospel reading for today in the Bible there is the encounter with Jesus in which Peter tries to persuade Jesus to not go to Jerusalem to experience his death and resurrection.   The very same Jesus who in today's Gospel tells Peter that he is the rock on which Jesus will build the Church, will say to Peter: 'Get behind me Satan!"   Later on during Jesus trial, it is Peter who will deny Jesus three times after having sworn to Jesus that he would lay down his life for the Jesus that he loved so much.

So why is Peter considered the first among Apostles?

What is so great about Peter that Jesus gives him the keys that says whatever Peter loosens on earth will be lose in heaven and what ever is bound on earth will be bound in heaven?  

Does that really mean that when Pope Benedict XVI says that "Gay marriage is a threat to humanity" that the Holy Spirit protects him from any and all sin when he is promoting such prejudice?

Peter is not made a great man or the rock because of who Peter is. The rock of Peter on which Jesus Christ has been building his Church is not a super power structure where one person is the universal dictator of all who call themselves Christians.  That rock of Faith is not represented as the Bishop of Rome seeks through his Bishops to infiltrate National, State and local governments so that they can only accept their version of what is "true".

Jesus recognizes Peter's confession as an act of faith from a man who does not have all his ducks in a row, but listens to God with in his heart so that he can confess with his mouth that Jesus is the Messiah; the Son of the Living God.   Jesus calls Peter the rock because of Peter's leap of faith that recognizes his own limitations, and that his only hope for salvation is to believe in God's perfect revelation in Jesus Christ.  Jesus responds to Peter's faith making Peter's Confession that rock on which Jesus would build the Church. 

The Messiah, the Son of God comes to establish a new justice through the establishment of God's reign through the Apostolic Succession.  This Succession of the Apostolic ministry is one that is not driven by a dictatorship, but one that inspires people through that same leap of faith that was in Peter when he made his confession. A faith that is collaborative with diverse groups of people and seeks God through radical hospitality and the ministry of reconciliation.

Each Bishop knows that she/he is an imperfect person who will make mistakes and do wrong.   The Bishops who have succeeded those first imperfect Apostles still come with their personal baggage; addictions, hunger for power vs the willingness to delegate and finds themselves battling the age old issue of money vs doing the right thing.  

One individual once said: "The Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum of Saints."  Sadly, the worst sinners (and that can be any one of us) often spend much too much time worrying about others sins rather than taking care of our own.

Peter's confession is an invitation for all of us to ask ourselves about what kind of faith are we professing?

Keep in mind that professing and confessing our faith does not make us perfect, nor does that alone bring us salvation.  The challenge for all of us is to live out that faith that we confess and profess by making it more than an abstraction.   Our task is to make it real and visible through the ordinary moments of our lives.

Our faith moves from being an abstraction to being a live with the risen Christ when we reach beyond our prejudices and attitudes to help bring about God's reign of peace, justice, inclusion and equality for all marginalized persons.   This means recognizing in people of different races, genders, sexual orientations and/or gender identities/expressions, languages, cultures, religions health and wealth statuses etc, the image of God and the hope for salvation in Jesus Christ.   It means being willing to serve the poor and the disenfranchised through our prayers and being actively involved in making the Church and the world a better place for everyone.

We are invited today to meditate on this awesome confession; while still asking ourselves about how we are going to confess and profess our faith in the daily routine of our lives. 

What will be our response?


Prayers

Almighty Father, who inspired Saint Peter, first among the
apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God:
Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that
in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow
the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p. 238). 


Gracious Father, we pray for they 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 thy Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that
thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men:
Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servant for whom
our prayers are offered. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy,
nourish his soul with patience, comfort him with a sense of
thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon him, and give
him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for Those in Trouble or Bereavement, Book of Common Prayer, p. 831).

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost: The Church Still Under Construction Needs Help

Scriptural Basis

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).

Confession, Transformation and Justice: They Can Work Together

Peter and his brother Andrew were the first disciples Jesus called. Peter is perhaps the epitome of a saint: a thousand times wrong, even grievously so, yet the rock upon whom Christ built his church. (Taken from The Daily Office Site).

 

 

 

 

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 16:13-19 (NRSV)

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."

Blog Reflection

"As we watch Peter struggle with himself, often stumble, love his Lord and deny him, speak rashly and act impetuously, his life reminds us that our Lord did not come to save the godly and strong but to save the weak and the sinful.  Simon, an ordinary human being, was transformed by the Holy Spirit into the "Rock," and became the leader of the Church." (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 174).

When I first read this paragraph for today's commemoration of the Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle, I had a bit of a problem with it.  I remember my own days of being an arch-conservative Catholic and thinking that the Pope in Rome could do no wrong.  In addition to trying to treat being gay or lesbian as men or women with "same-sex attraction" the ex-gay Courage Roman Catholic group in America seeks to help their members live in "chastity" according to the understanding and teaching of the Pope and the Catholic church.  However, as the paragraph from Holy Women, Holy Men suggests, Peter was certainly not a perfect man.  Neither is the Pope or any Bishop, Priest or Deacon.  Therefore, Courage RC is also wrong and far from perfect. Ex-gay groups are down right evil.

The Confession of St. Peter reminds us that our Christian Faith comes from what we believe in our hearts and minds.  Church Tradition and human reason says that what we believe in our hearts and minds actually lives when we actively seek the justice, equality and inclusion of all humankind.  Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ was a defining moment for him, just as it is for all who profess being a Christian. But that definition was only the beginning.  Well after his confession, Peter struggled, failed, learned and had to be confronted for being wrong on many occasions.  It was Peter's faith that was weak which is why he began to sink as Jesus walked on the water towards him.  It was Peter who denied Jesus three times and had to be reinstated by Jesus asking Peter if Peter loved Jesus three times. (See John 21: 15-22).  Peter and Paul had an argument over Peter's conservatism over whether Gentile converts to Christianity should be circumcised according the Jewish Law or not.  Yet the faith that Peter confessed made him, an imperfect, sinful man the Rock on which Christ would build up the Church.  Jesus did not install Peter as a worldwide political super power as has unfortunately happened in the Roman church over the years.  Jesus called Peter to be a spiritual leader.  To learn as well as to advise.  And to help the Church to always be open to learning and growing.

Confessing Jesus as the Christ should be accompanied not only with piety, but also a determination to seek out the common good by working for the justice, equality and inclusion of those who remain marginalized, oppressed and in need of our concern and help.  If our confession of Jesus is limited to our own personal selves which is good in and of itself, we become lamps hidden with no light for others to see.  When we use the Name of Jesus the Christ to negatively stereotype people of diverse races, religions, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities/expressions, languages, health, wealth etc, and seek to take away their basic human rights, Jesus gets a bad Name.  When Christians use Jesus Christ to plan to repeal health care reform, burn Qu-rans, violate the Jewish people, and discriminate against women, LGBT, Native Americans, African Americans and so forth, Christians get labeled negatively and people are led to believe that Jesus Christ was and is nothing more than a legendary fairy tale.  If we want our confession of faith to live and inspire others, we have to become inclusive, accepting, forgiving and let go of our erroneous understandings of the Bible and Church history.

St. Peter's Confession is the confession of Faith for all Christians.  If we really believe in Jesus as the Christ and want to live that faith in our lives, than we must also be open to the transformation that confession will bring to our lives, the Church and the world.  That transformation includes being open to learning the Bible anew with the help of critical and accurate Biblical scholarship, not Biblical Literalism nor allowing the Church alone to determine what the Scriptures mean.  The transformation of a world from injustice, inequality and oppression into one of justice, equality and freedom for all people should be the wish and work of all who confess Jesus as the Christ.  We must be open to seeing our own prejudices for what they are and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts as she did with St. Peter, so that we can be open to keep learning about this incredible Faith of what it means to be a Christian.  And understand that if our Faith stops with our prejudices, that Faith along with the Church will die.  As Christians we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord of both the living and the dead, which includes all of God's people.  Therefore, our Christian Church and our hearts that confess belief in Jesus as the Christ must also include all of God's people.  No exceptions.


Prayers

Almighty Father, who inspired Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Confession of St. Peter, Book of Common Prayer, page 238).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, page 815).