You want me to do what?

What significance do the readings for this Sunday, August 27, have for me, beyond the obvious, I wondered. Peter was the “rock” upon which the Church in the world was to be established, thus beginning the procession of popes, Peter’s apostolic successors, which continues to this very day. Is that the only relevance for me? After spending some considerable time pondering this, early one morning, in that time of not being quite fully awake, came an “ah ha” thought.

Jesus asked them, his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” and Peter, impetuous Peter, replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Peter did not figure this all out by himself; he had the help of the Holy spirit who revealed it to him. I suspect that, at that time, Peter was not fully aware of the implications and depth of that affirmation of faith and belief. And upon hearing the words, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church” (and those that followed), I think he may have wondered, “What is your church?” “What keys?” “To do what?”. Becoming that Rock was a journey of faith and trust that Jesus, Son of the Living God, knew what He was doing.

My journey of faith did not begin dramatically but rather as gradual sureness that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. My 20-year-old self did not come to that by reasoning and study alone; I know that the Holy Spirit enlightened my heart to respond as Peter did. I think that Jesus asked me, and continues to ask me, to affirm that sure knowledge, calling me to follow His Way, to listen to His teachings, to be an active participant in the Church He established and to share freely the gifts I have been given. My certainty that Jesus is the Son of God has not wavered over the years, but it’s the following His Way and sharing freely of my gifts that is not always easy. “You want me to do what?” “I can’t do that!” “I don’t have the skills.”

At those times I can only pray with the psalmist: “When I called, You answered me; You built up my strength within me. Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.”

–Monica Thursam

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.