READINGS THE LINES BETWEEN

Peter, the leader among Jesus’ apostles, appears in three of the four Sunday Gospel passages we will read this month. Peter’s interactions with Jesus in Matthew 14:22-33; 16:13-20 and 17:1-9 reflect the essential relationship between the Church and Jesus, its Lord and Messiah.

In 14:22-33, Matthew embellishes Mark’s (6:45-51) episode of Jesus walking on the sea and calming it by adding a narrative about Peter. Having been sent by Jesus to precede him by boat to the Sea of Galilee’s opposite shore, the disciples encounter rough seas and strong winds resisting their progress. The scene reflects the situation of the Church facing turbulence and opposition from the world. The disciples’ reaction to their situation will constitute a test of their faith. When they see Jesus walking on the stormy sea, their first reaction is panic. Before telling them to stop fearing, Jesus says egō eimi (Greek), literally, “I am.” This use of the divine name along with his traversing the tempestuous waters parallels him with God who tames chaotic seas (Psalm 77:20). At verse 28, Peter enters the scene by requesting that the Lord allow him to come to him on the sea, whereupon Jesus summons him. Yet, Peter succumbs to fear, sinks in the water and cries out to Jesus, “Lord, save (me)!” Jesus points out that the disciples’ fearful reaction to the situation is a symptom of “littleness of faith.” Matthew means to teach us here that the Church must always trust in the saving presence of Jesus who wields divine power to tame the threatening forces of chaos the Church faces.

The disciples’ declaration of Jesus as Son of God in Matthew 14:33 anticipates Peter’s confession of Jesus as such in 16:16, which is in the context of another passage (16:13-20) we will hear proclaimed this month. As in the case of 14:2233, Matthew takes an episode from Mark (8:27-30) and adds an event singling Peter out. In response to his question to the disciples concerning their perception of the identity of “the Son of Man,” Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. The title “Son of Man” in Matthew is used in reference to Jesus as a healer (e.g. 9:6) and end-time judge (25:31-46). Peter’s response to Jesus’ question reflects the central concepts of Jesus’ identity for Matthew. All at once, Jesus is Son of Man, Messiah and Son of God.

Peter’s profound confession warrants a response by Jesus, who first acknowledges that Peter has received a deep insight by means of divine grace. Consequently, Peter has demonstrated a “rock-like” faith that would qualify him to lead his fellow disciples as overseers of the “Church,” the new Israel which will emerge from Jesus’ death and resurrection (see Matthew 21:33-

43). Again, the interaction between Peter and Jesus reflects the close connection between the Church and its Lord. The Church trusts in its Lord as regal heir to David’s throne, one who wields power over evil forces, end-time judge and one who shares the life-giving power of God. While the risen Lord will promise to be with his Church always (28:20), he declares here that he will entrust to Peter the power of the keys. “The power of the keys is therefore the power to teach the right way to enter the Kingdom, the authority to teach the way correctly, the way to do the will of God ... ” (J.P. Meier, The Vision of Matthew: Christ, Church and Morality in the First Gospel, p. 113). In addition, Peter is authorized to “bind and loose,” to apply Jesus’ teaching to new situations the Church encounters.

Finally, in Matthew 17:1-9, Jesus takes three of his closest disciples, one of whom is Peter, to witness his transfiguration in the presence of Moses and Elijah who appear shrouded in glory as well. In awe of the glorious vision, Peter responds by offering to erect three “tents” or “booths,” as was done during the Feast of Tabernacles, which recalled Israel’s sojourn in the desert. Peter’s earlier declaration of Jesus as God’s Son is confirmed by the divine voice in this passage.

In sum, the interactions between Jesus and Peter in these Gospel passages model for us the close association between the life of the Church and its faith in its Lord.