Homilies | Father Nathan

Father Nathan | Homily

Today’s Readings for Mass During the Day:

First Reading —IS 22:19-23

Responsorial Psalm — PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

Second Reading — ROM 11:33-36

Gospel Reading — MT 16:13-20

“…And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church…”

— MT 16:13-20

The Gospel story shows that the primacy of Peter was not something that was invented by the church later on. It went right back to the beginning, yes, to the mind and will of Christ himself.

The Story of Peter

Peter is one of the most interesting characters in the gospel. It’s clear that he had leadership qualities. But it’s also clear that he had glaring weaknesses. In the gospels, we see his ups and downs. Sometimes he is very brave; other times very cowardly;  Sometimes he is like a rock;  other times he is more like a piece of jelly. He is almost too human. Certainly not our idea of a saint, or even the ideal person to be head of Christ’s Church.

But it’s very interesting to see how Jesus dealt with him. How he helped him to grow into the man who was ready to lay down his life for him, and who eventually did. This growth was a gradual thing, and there were some regressions.  But this is how growth happens. To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.

The Relationship Between Peter and Jesus

Let us take a closer look at the relationship between Jesus and peter. It will help us to grow as human beings and as disciples of Jesus. And it will show us how best to help those we love to grow.

It all began when Jesus called him. Obviously Jesus saw potential in him. We all need someone to believe in us.  It’s hard to believe in ourselves if no one else believes in us.

Peter did not think he deserved that call. He said “Lord, depart from me, for I am a sinful man” Jesus did not deny that Peter was a sinner, but he challenged him to grow. We need to be challenged. Demands have to be made on us. Not to demand anything from someone is to condemn that person sterility.

Jesus involved him in his work. He made him a partner in it, not a mere messenger boy. Responsibility helps people to grow.

He asked him to declare his loyalty. Once when large numbers of people were leaving him, Jesus turned to Peter and said ‘WILL YOU ALSO GO?” This forced Peter to look into his own heart, and stand on his own two feet. This helps growth.

When Peter made his great declaration of faith

“You are the Christ, the son of the living God.”

Jesus praised him and promised him further responsibility.  We all need recognition for work well done.  We all need affirmation. This encourages further generosity.

Jesus corrected him. When Peter drew his sword in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus said to him “Put down your sword” It takes courage on the part of the tutor to point out the mistakes.   And to learn from one’s mistakes is an essential part of growth.

Jesus once told him off.  Thus when Peter wanted to prevent him from going to Jerusalem, Jesus said ”Get behind me, Satan, you are more of the hindrance to me than a help.” At times the tutor may have to reprove. But there is an art in doing it.

Jesus confronted him with is his failure to stay awake in the garden “Can you not watch even one hour with me?”. It doesn’t help to let someone get away with sloppiness and shoddiness.

He even threatened to cut him off over the feet washing incident. We have to be stern at times and refuse to compromise on matters of principle.

He understood that when Peter denied him, he did so more out of the weakness than out of malice. He forgave him and gave him the chance to begin again.  We all need someone who can understand our weakness, and who doesn’t write us off when we don’t produce the goods right away.

But Jesus never spoiled Peter. That would be to ruin his chance to grow.

The thread which runs right through their relationship was love. Peter knew that Jesus loved him. Love is the climate in which people can grow.  This was the rock in peter’s life.

We can imagine that peter made a very good leader. A leader has to be aware of his weaknesses. The experience of denying Jesus rid peter of pride and blond reliance on his own resources. At the same time, it enabled him to understand the weakness of others.

Peter’s story is our story too.

We too blow hot and cold. Sometimes we are strong, and other times we are weak. Without a warm relationship with Christ, we are only fringes of Christianity. We are like someone talking about love compared with someone who is love.

Have a Blessed Week,

Fr. Nathan