Oh Peter!

 Oh Peter!

 

That was my first response when I read the gospel text for today (Matthew 16: 13-20). 

 

Although Peter is mentioned many times in the New Testament there is no real information about him from before he met with Jesus. Clearly, he was married — he had a mother-in-law whom Jesus healed. I have no idea what happened to his wife. I have no idea if he had children. I don’t know if he saw his family frequently or if they were independently wealthy (no longer needing support from the fishing industry). Actually, I don’t really like to dwell on these too long as the feminist in me rises up at the unfairness of a system where a man could leave all his responsibilities to follow Jesus, I suspect his wife would not have had that freedom. Anyway, I’m not thinking about that today.

 

Today, I want to ponder on one little phrase which has really taken on an immense significance: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” 

 

Over the centuries these few words have been interpreted in different ways. Just a side note about hermeneutics here. I hear it said a lot that something written in the Bible must be true without any regard to varying interpretations. Interpretation is key. When I look at a passage and try to understand what is being said I want to think and ponder about the words used, the audience they were spoken to and later penned for, the prevailing culture of the time, relevance for today, etc. Above all I need to be free from the realm of right and wrong. That is such a downfall, if I make the assumption how I interpret a passage is right then, of necessity, how someone else interprets it is wrong. Oh, what arrogance!

 

But back to Peter — actually I really love the character of Peter. He is so normal, so impetuous, so loyal, so delightfully human. The words in today’s reading must have filled him with wonder and gratitude. 

 

Yet, the words are not that simple. Over the centuries they have been understood in two significantly different ways. Initially, the interpretation was Peter, himself, was the Rock on which the church was built. Hence, the acknowledgement of Peter as the first pope. Later came the interpretation that Jesus was referring to himself when he talked about building the church. Peter being a little rock in that building. (Please note I am very much oversimplifying — it is still the subject of much ongoing debate focusing around the Greek and Aramaic use of the word rock). 

 

Yet there has been a third interpretation posed, and this is the one I favour. To understand this interpretation, it is necessary to consider the phrase in today’s lectionary reading in conjunction with the parable of the sower (Matthew 13). 

 

This parable is about a sower who scatters seed in various locations and the resulting growth in each of these areas. One of the places the seed fell was on rocky ground. Here it was not deeply rooted so in time of trial it could fall away. I think this is a wordplay. The word here translated as rocky/stony is from the same root as the word used to Peter.

 

I love the way this description of the rocky ground so fits the life of Peter. Immediately following that parable, is the story of Peter walking on water where Peter boldly steps out but then starts to sink. In the verse preceding the one I am considering, Peter proclaims Jesus as the Christ yet in time of trial denies him. Peter as rocky ground is a wonderfully helpful idea — no one needs to be perfect to be part of God’s community of people. 

 

Do I think it is the only correct interpretation? Absolutely not. That would be really arrogant. Each person must think and study for themselves and draw their own conclusions. 

 

Personally, I find this interpretation really encouraging.  When I think of a Peter who wasn’t perfect, a Peter who made mistakes . . . lots of them, it gives me real hope. Peter who was so very human but could still live a life that made a difference to his contemporaries and those of future generations. 

 

 

 

(For a full discussion of this interpretation see Mary Ann Tolbert, Sowing the Gospel: Mark’s World in Literary-Historical Perspective. Fortress Press, 1996)

Don’t Look Down!

Today’s Gospel lectionary reading (Matthew 14:22-33) is the story of Jesus walking on water. The text relates how the disciples were in a boat battling a storm. It reads like they were having a real struggle. It must have been quite scary. 

 

Many years ago, I was in a small open ferry in Wales, travelling from Tenby to Caldey Island. It is a short journey which we had undertaken easily in the morning. We had spent a wonderful day wandering on the island. Mid-afternoon the sky started to darken so we hurried to the beach to catch the ferry back to the mainland. We were told that due to the storm approaching this would be the last ferry of the day. As we made the crossing the storm hit. I could describe it in much the same way the author of the gospel did, “the boat battered by the waves, was far from land, for the wind was against them.” In our little ferry I was terrified. However, we made it safely thanks to the skill of the young man operating it —although as his colleague on shore helped him tie up, we did overhear him say that at one point he thought that he had lost the boat!

 

In the story today, in the midst of the fear and chaos of the storm Jesus came walking towards them. It is a great story, the subject of many pictures and children’s books. Many studies and much discussion have been undertaken by scholars on the subject of walking on water — ice on the lake, rocks under the surface, etc. I read a few, they are readily available on google. 

 

The text for today continues with Peter getting out of the boat to walk towards Jesus. And, as I thought through the story, this is where I want to pause and ponder. I think this is where I can find relevance for my life. 

 

In the narrative, Peter left the boat presumably full of confidence, but fear of the waves and the wind overtook him, and he started to sink. Peter looked down. He looked at the circumstances, he looked at difficulties and fear overwhelmed him.

 

As I pondered it, I thought of destinations, goals and direction. I know in the past I have talked many times about enjoying the journey —and that still holds true. So much can be missed if a journey is rushed, forgetting the beauty and the experiences encountered while travelling.

 

But today, I want to think about destinations, about dreams and visions, about goals. This story illustrates that beautifully. I want to hold in tension enjoying the journey and keeping the focus on the destination.

 

Focusing on the goal is another important aspect of life. Or, to express it differently, not losing sight of the vision or holding onto the dream. Or perhaps, a deep inner knowing of where one wants to be at any particular stage of life. 

 

If that is kept in forefront of one’s mind, then when the storm comes —when the boat is being battered by waves and the wind is strong — it won’t overwhelm.  Lots can be learnt from this story — don’t look down, keep eyes steadfastly on the destination until the calm is restored and the journey continues in peace . . . until the next storm!  I love the cyclic rhythm of life.