Simon Peter
was a great friend
to Jesus
and a great apostle.
He was the first
to acclaim Jesus
as the Son of God.
Jesus in turn
held Peter in great esteem.

And yet,
only minutes after pronouncing,
“You are Peter
and on this rock
I will build my church”
Jesus had occasion
to chastise Peter,
describing him as
a stumbling block,
an obstacle in His path.

You see Peter
tried to dissuade Jesus
from undergoing
all of the suffering
that lay ahead of Jesus –
suffering that was central
to God’s plan for us.

Despite the best of intentions
Peter was proving to be
a stumbling block
for Jesus
and His church.

Perhaps each of us
in this church
that is founded on Peter –
from the lay person
those in the highest echelons –
need to ask ourselves
what our role is –
by our actions
are we helping to bring about
God’s kingdom on earth
or are we
despite our best intentions
proving to be
an obstacle
in Jesus’s path?

(Matthew 16: 17-23)

© Claire Murray, 13th August 2021