"On this rock, I will build my church"
Matthew 16: 13-20
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082723.cfm
Could you imagine a bicycle wheel without a center to join and hold the spokes together in a solid circle? Or the wheels of a car without a firm rim to support the wheel? How about a square table with only three legs? Or a sports team such as baseball or football with no coach to guide and direct the plays? Or a Nation with no duly appointed leader to defend and speak for the interests of the Country?
That would be either a bike
I would never ride, a table I would not put anything on, or a team I would not
want to be a player of or a Country without specific leadership in which every
citizen was left up to their own preference of what would be done or what would
be legal or illegal. Sadly, that seems
to be our state of affairs these days. So, who’s in charge? What holds this together in one piece - this
bike or the wheel on my car, the Country or the Church?
We hear of that spoke or
center of unity today in our familiar Gospel passage from Matthew: “Simon Peter replied: You are the Christ, the
Son of the living God . . . Jesus said to him in reply . . . you are Peter, and
upon this rock I will build my church . . . I will give you the keys to the
kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus had asked his
disciples a question that in one sense put them all on the spot, “Who do you
say that I am?” How would you answer a good friend or someone you had been with
frequently if that friend asked you such a question – “Who am I to you?”
This inner circle of
disciples might have commented on how much they enjoyed Jesus' company, that
his words were charismatic, that many were impressed by his wonders and
compassion, that they found in him a deeper sense of meaning and purpose for
their lives, that his treatment of women and children was surprising but
strangely dignified, etc.
While all of that would have
been correct and highly complementary to Jesus, none of those reflections would
have adequate. Our Lord was seeking a deeper answer – one rooted in faith.
He found that, in one
disciples response: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” You are the anointed one, the Messiah, the
Son of God. You are not like any other
person who has walked this earth.
What a profound insight and
a bold statement of faith in Jesus the Christ.
How did this fisherman come to such a deep awareness? Clearly Jesus makes reference to Simon's
source of knowledge and faith: “For
flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” It was
only by a grace given to Simon, now “kephas or petros” meaning
"rock," that he came to make that crucial statement about Jesus full
identity. Through Peter's insight, he expressed something that had not yet been
revealed by Jesus himself but only perceived through the eyes of faith as to
Jesus’ true identity.
Jesus goes farther and
entrusts the building, or household, of his church to the care of Peter. From that moment, and we see it referred to
more than once in the Acts of the Apostles and consistent Church history from
that time until today, Peter and his successors have been seen as the center
spoke, the fourth leg on the table - the designated sign of leadership in the
Church which Jesus founded and referred to in his affirmation to the
“Rock.” So it is not only Peter’s solid
profession of faith but also his person and his position among the twelve that
has made the “Petrine” office, the Papacy as we know it, the sign and center of
unity in the Church.
So, our Gospel this Sunday
holds deep significance for our lives as Catholic/Christians and how we see
ourselves in the world as the Body of Christ centered on Peter and the Apostles
– the Pope and our Bishops.
But, take a look more deeply
on a personal and social level. Here we
stand, more than two millennia later in a starkly different time, with 20
centuries of Christian history behind us, scholars, theologians, 265 “Peter’s”
later, saints, philosophers, and over a billion Catholics, with a Christian
faith that is fractured into thousands of denominations who profess a common
faith in Jesus as the Savior, and has that question truly been answered? “Who do the crowds say that I am?” and “Who
do you say that I am?”
It seems to me that every
age is restless and resistant to center on one, true, and unchangeable truth
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The question persists:
“I’m spiritual but not
religious! Jesus was a prophet but not God. Jesus is “superstar,” the popu “Godspell”
the play where is depicted almost clown-like, I don’t know and frankly, don’t
care, etc, etc.” and further answers that persist. So, it remains for each of us, a question that
we must answer. How I answer, sets the
direction for my life.
The first reading from
Isaiah today emphasizes authority. How
the Lord did not tolerate those who would contradict his commands or cause
compromise of the Covenant to his people, leading them astray from right
teaching and the truth. That of course
is the mission of the Pope; to be the gatekeeper, to hold the keys of the
household of Christ, and to protect right teaching in Jesus' name who is Head
of the Church.
Any accurate read of Church
history, however, shows us that while that office may be key to unity, not all
those who have held the office of St. Peter’s successor have been paragons of
virtue, to say the least. We are all
sinners and didn’t Pope Francis himself early on, describe himself first as a
“sinner.” We all are in need of God’s mercy and grace.
While all of that is
important to understand of course, for the vast general population of those who
constitute this household of Christ in the Church, the experience is far more
local and personal than it is lofty or bureaucratic.
St. Francis of Assisi was
one time asked by a very early follower of his, to teach him the prayer which he
prayed all night. St. Francis told him
that he prayed: “Who are you my God and
who am I?” Francis knew that the way he responded to the first question will
define the kind of Christian he is. If
I can say with conviction “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” as
Peter did with utter personal conviction, then my life will follow
accordingly. I will live by his moral
code, seek a personal relationship with him, and share in the mission of the
Church and act in his name. I will see
the Holy Eucharist as his true and living presence offered to us and know that
I’m not perfect and in need of mercy and forgiveness.
But, in the end we all must
answer that question accordingly because it carries with it our identity. Think of your parish life and mission. How that is answered by parishioners and
priest in leadership will reveal how we see ourselves as the Church in the
world and what our mission and purpose is to others and ourselves. I can only
speak for myself as Pastor that I am constantly inspired by the good example
and generosity of so many. It reminds me
to get my own personal act together!
So, what might seem somewhat
obvious to us may not always be understood the same way. If Jesus truly is the “Christ, the Son of the
living God,” and I am both personally and corporately convinced of that, then
we can be an authentic and contagious witness to his lofty Gospel of good news
for humanity and behave accordingly.
There are many layers to our
Gospel this Sunday and one could go many directions about the Papacy, Church
history, the sins and failings of leaders and people, and wherever else. But
the good news is indeed what Jesus intended and has set up in this both divine
and human structure called the Church, His Body. But it is all an invitation to express our
loyalty and faith in the One the Father has sent.
So, “Who do YOU say" he
is?
O God, who cause the minds
of the faithful
to unite in a single
purpose,
grant your people to love
what you command
and to desire what you
promise,
that amid the uncertainties
of this world,
our hearts may be fixed on
that place
where true gladness is
found.
Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with
you
in the unity of the Holy
Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
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