August 30th
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Rock to Block”
It only takes Peter six verses to go from a “Rock” to a “Block.” Only six verses to go from Jesus saying, “Blessed are you Simon, son of [John] … I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,” to Jesus saying, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a [stumbling block] to me.” Only six lines! What happens?
Apparently, Peter stumbles along his way. Long before future Christian charlatans will monetize and weaponize a “prosperity Gospel,” Peter stumbles over their idea that the faithful will not suffer (if they are faithful enough); that true believers will triumph over every adversity, avoiding the cross. Peter stumbles over the truth that knowing who Jesus is, is not the same as living who Jesus is. And folks continue to stumble over this today. How is your footing? How is mine?
Peter really stumbles when Jesus’ thrice-predicted Passion comes to fruition. Despite being fore-warned, Peter becomes a distant bystander to Jesus’ cross. Despite being directly taught that a disciple must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Jesus, Peter put himself first, ran from the cross, and followed his own agenda of self-preservation. Peter stumbled over the “bystander” idea that others should do the “dying” and he just the “rising.”
Folks continue to stumble over this to this very day, only it takes on a different face. Like the pastor of a wonderful parish who starts avoiding archdiocesan gatherings because he knows that for priests the reward for good work is more work. Or the Mass attendee who likes receiving the ministry of others but does not want to perform a ministry.
Jesus teaches that to walk with him and not stumble we must repudiate our self-agendas and put to death everything that impedes the new life of God. How is your footing? How is mine?
Peter in six verses goes from a Rock to a Block for Jesus. Yet, we know he eventually becomes a great saint. How?
Mercy – Mission – and Crucifixion! (Let me say that again…)
Nine verses at the end of the Gospel of John changes Peter. Resurrected, Jesus asks Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs.” “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” “Tend my sheep.” “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and replied, “Lord, you know everything, you that I love you.” “Feed my sheep.”
What happens to Peter? Jesus’ MERCY.
Three times Jesus allows Peter to express his love; three times in order to forgive Peter’s three denials of Jesus at the cross. Peter is given Jesus’ forgiveness.
What happens to Peter? Jesus’ MISSION.
Jesus’ forgiveness comes with a commissioning, an entrustment of God’s mission. Feed my lambs; tend my sheep; feed my sheep. Peter is given a share in Jesus’ mission.
What happens to Peter? Jesus’ CRUCIFIXION.
“Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you to where you do not want to go.” [Jesus] said this signifying by what kind of death [Peter] would glorify God.
Ultimately, empowered for Jesus’ mission through Jesus’ mercy, Peter’s total transformation into Jesus’ ROCK is accomplished by his total embrace of Jesus’ cross. By mercy, mission, and crucifixion Peter goes from sinner to saint, from stumbling block to rock. Peter finds his footing!
You and I can also find our footing through Jesus’ mercy, mission, and crucifixion.
If like Peter we have denied Jesus by our actions, then seek Jesus’ forgiveness sacramentally as a profession of our love for him.
If like Peter we have settled into being “bystanders” to Jesus’ mission, then step forward and do something that tangibly advances Jesus’ work in our world.
If like Peter we have run from the cross, then stop running and allow God to be glorified through our witness of trust through crucifixion. In the world’s eyes we will look like losers, but in God’s eyes we will be seen as saints.
Today Jesus says to Peter and all, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” At the end of John’s Gospel Jesus’ final words to Peter will be, “You, follow me.” In between, through Jesus’ mercy, mission, and crucifixion Simon, son of John, becomes Peter the Rock.
You and I are in the middle of our own stories, may they end like Peter’s with sainthood.