Identity

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: MATTHEW 16: 13-20 (MESSAGE)

When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah.

At some point in life, everyone asks the question, “Who am I?” Like Jesus, we also want to know what other people think of who we are. Asking his disciples, Jesus begins to get a sense of the categories in which others were putting him and his ministry. But then Jesus turns the question on his disciples. Do they really understand who Jesus is? Do they understand what he is doing in the world? Do they fully realize the mission in which they have decided to participate? Only Peter is brave and bold enough to name it.

How do we identify who God is, who Jesus is, in our lives? Do we perceive God as that other worldly genie who grants all of our wishes? Do we understand God as our companion walking with us through all the ups and downs of life? Do we experience God as constant friend or trusted ally? If God is present and for all of us, how do we understand the message of God’s unconditional love when we are engaged with people we don’t like, don’t want anything to do with, and would rather avoid? How do we see God in these relationships and what is God teaching us through these people and situations?

Who do we say that God is in our lives not just in our lives of faith?

This Sunday, August 21 at 10:00am, the Wellesely Ecumenical Service of Worship will gather once again at the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church. With the Rev. Addison Hall, rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church preaching, we will think about who we are and who God is in our lives. Looking forward to seeing you in Church!