Ordinary Time | Rhythms of Confession | Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin Matthew 16:13-20 (ESV)Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.The context for The Gospel of Matthew: It was written shortly after the failed Jewish revolt against Rome. In the wake of the destruction of the Temple and devastation of Jerusalem… This is the context in which the meaning of Jesus as Messiah was being worked out. The gospel story reflects a bigger picture. Remember a few weeks back when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, and Peter said, “if it is you, Lord, call to me… and Jesus said, ‘come’… after sinking, Jesus helps him back in the boat and Peter says “surely you are the Son of God”. Here, Peter confesses “You are the Christ”. It is in our process & experience, where we sometimes have less & less faith only to find more and more faith. When we confess “You are the Christ!”, putting life back to order - asking for true shalom (everything in its place flourishing as God intends).Rhythms of confession assist in our spiritual, emotion, and mental health. When you don’t have words, or can’t handles for the moment, pray from the liturgy and join your posture with the communion of the saints - prayers from multiple generations, races, & cultures from the span of time. By confessing each week, we are confessing like Peter, “You are the Son of God”… and we are not.The subversiveness of the Kingdom, again with “20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.” In the tension of the day, Christ didn’t want this heat, yet. It wasn’t time…Before we progress, let’s contemplate the following with an open posture. “Who do you say that I am?”
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