He Rocks My World | February 22, 2017

February 22, 2017

Pope Francis simply rocks my world. I find him to be the embodiment of Christ’s message and a true living, walking, breathing, loving, smiling, serving example of the gospel. From the first moment the world laid eyes on him, we were changed. His simple air high five with that amazing, but humble smile from the balcony at St. Peter’s….ah!!! He had me at hello! As he bowed his head before millions all over the world and asked us to pray over him, I thought to myself, I will never be the same. This man just reached into my soul and ignited it with love. Then, then, then, he announced his name as FRANCIS and I was literally wrecked. That smile, that humility, that new name…..I am in love and Papa Frank rocks my world.

Today is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter and in our gospel Peter finally steps into the name that Jesus gave him with one single statement. Throughout salvation history, God has called up some very colorful characters to lead His people and transform the world. Many of these leaders were given new names by God with the intention that they leave their old selves behind and become a new creation in the Lord: Abram & Sarai, Jacob, Paul, Peter, etc. When Jesus told Simon that he was going to start calling him Peter, it was a sweet little bit of light-hearted sarcasm, because Peter at the time was anything but rock-like. Of course Jesus knew that he would become that which he was renamed. Up until today’s gospel scene, Peter’s name was still quite a stretch, but when Jesus specifically asks him, “Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter jumps right into that new name, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Yay!!! Happy graduation day! You made it!

I wonder what Jesus felt inside. I’m sure it is similar to how I feel when I listen to one of my guitar students play in a talent show, or at mass for the first time, or when my dancers get their choreography down and perform it with the enthusiasm that only comes from finally getting it. “Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’” Jesus reminded Peter of his past life by using his old name, showing him how far he has really come. It’s good for us to be reminded of our growth in Christ every now and then. Peter must have been elated and a little surprised/confused. He wasn’t really used to getting the right answer. Did Peter still continue to falter in his belief? Yes. Did Peter still bounce back and forth from his old self (name) to his new name? Yes. But God’s plan is always bigger and greater and once the Holy Spirit entered Peter’s life that “Rock” was hewn as a permanent seat upon which Jesus’ message rests.

From Jesus to Peter to Francis, the truth remains that Christ built his church upon a ROCK called by God himself. What established the ROCK was a simple statement, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." May we permanently allow that truth to live within us so that our faith can remain rock solid. Here’s a fun thing to ponder today. What new name would God give you? What is it that God wants you to step into today with one single statement of faith? Would it be Fearless? Brilliant? Precious? Worthy? Ponder it in your heart then step into it. Have a blessed day.

Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
Lectionary: 535

Reading 1 1 PT 5:1-4

Beloved:
I exhort the presbyters among you,
as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ
and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed.
Tend the flock of God in your midst,
overseeing not by constraint but willingly,
as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.
Do not lord it over those assigned to you,
but be examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd is revealed,
you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Responsorial Psalm PS 23:1-3A, 4, 5, 6

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Alleluia MT 16:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church;
the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply, 
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."