Sunday Worship
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the 12th Sunday after Trinity. Our church services today are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas,.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you can find the Gospel reading, a reflection and prayers below.
Our first hymn this morning is "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 16:13-20 Peter’s Confession of Christ
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Reflection
Who am I? When I read these words, it reminded of a line from a situation comedy many years ago. A rather pompous man expecting to be treated better than anyone else, exclaimed, “Do you know who I am?” The witty response came back, “Hey, there’s a bloke out here who doesn’t who he is!”
But Jesus asks the disciples two questions which are far more theologically important. The first, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” So they tell Him some of the rumours that are circulating around, although probably Jesus is already aware of some of these. Then Jesus asks a far more profound question, “But who do you say that I am?”
This time it is Simon Peter who answers. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” This is a significant confession that reveals the depth of Simon Peter’s understanding of who Jesus really is. He is the first of all the disciples to testify that Jesus is the ‘Christ’, [from the Greek word Cristos meaning the Messiah or Anointed One]. Peter has, of course, already been witness to many of the miracles that Jesus has performed and to His teachings, but as Jesus points out, it is God who has revealed Jesus’ true nature to Peter.
And so, Jesus tells Peter that he will become the rock upon which His church will built. It is probably not immediately obvious to us, but this is the first reference by Jesus to the term church. I guess we take churches for granted, but when you think about it, there was no such church at that time. It should also remind us that the church Jesus was referring to was not a stone building, rather it would be a community of believers. Like us, we are the church - as the body of Christ united by our faith and belief in Jesus, the Son of man. The church started out as the disciples spread the Good News of the Jesus through meetings and gatherings and it was Peter who was at the very heart of it all, and Christ Jesus as the foundation.
If, like Peter, we are to confess Jesus as the Messiah and truly believe in Him, then we too are called to be living stones, spreading the Good News of the gospels. If we, like Peter, want the keys to God’s kingdom, then we need to use the keys of love, faith, obedience, prayer and witness to open the gates and be like Jesus. One last thought, every time you enter St. Thomas’ church, you we are welcomed by both Jesus and Peter. Jesus with the cross, is carved in stone at the left and Peter with the Keys to the Kingdom at the right. Why not take a look? Paul
Our Prayers
Today's final hymn is "Jesus, Name Above All Names"
Notices
