Peter the Rock - November 14

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 88; PM Psalm 91, 92; 1 Macc. 1:41-63; Rev. 19:11-16; Matt. 16:13-20

Last night, I attended my daughter’s high school cross country banquet. The head coach has a tradition of giving speeches to and about the graduating runners, one at the time. One young man has been quite perplexing, disruptive, and yet endearing in his own way. Towering above the running coach, the boy with dark floppy curls looked on as he was encouraged to grow through adversities and channel his energies in whatever is ahead. I wonder what this young man said and did to impress the coach. The wryly humored English teacher/coach saw potential in him. In his tenacity. In his intensity.

Listening to the speeches, I was also thinking about today’s gospel from Matthew as Jesus asked his disciples who people say that the Son of Man is. They shared varied responses they heard from passersby. Jesus then asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter piped up with a bold proclamation: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Clear and concise, to the point. He saw Jesus as the Christ. He named the truth, and aspired to be like the Truth. And Jesus saw the gift and potential in Peter for the present and into the hope of the future.

It was through that lens that Jesus extolled the hope, virtue, and trust placed upon Peter. God revealed to him the truth of Jesus’ identity and how blessed he was by the Lord. Because of Simon’s strength and direct temperament, he was renamed Peter, the Rock.

As “the Rock”, the first bishop of the Church confers the fortitude of the Lord’s faithfulness, no matter what. His tenacious spiritual heft is unparalleled – and with God’s help, the Church will thrive upon Christ’s healing love and Peter’s voice of truth. Jesus named that Peter’s power would rival and prevail against the gates of darkness – and his friend promised to deliver the tools needed for success.

Jesus knew that his own role was not to lead the faithful in perpetuity. He needed others to do that. So, he charged Peter with the helm. In empowering him, it was not for Peter’s glorification, but for God’s. And today, we are left with the legacy of Peter the Rock, whose name was changed as he spoke truth into the world … that Jesus was, is, and will be the Christ, and that the Son of God defeated death and the grave.

It is this Good News which we continue to share. May Saint Peter the Rock be a source of inspiration for you today.

With God’s help,

Katherine+

Reflection and Challenge

Who has seen potential in you?

Make a point this week to practice seeing potential in others. Take time to name those spaces of hope and pray intentionally for the sprigs of growth to take root in the life of that person.