Theological Reflection
A reading for Thursday, June 12, 2014: Matthew 16:13-20.
Father Henri Nouwen wrote, "Theological reflection is reflecting on the painful and joyful realities of everyday with the mind of Jesus and thereby raising human consciousness to the knowledge of God’s gentle guidance."
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” asks Jesus of the disciples. It's a theological reflection question. Most of the disciples choose the most relevant, the most popular, and the most powerful in John the Baptist, Elijah and Jeremiah. These three... relevancy, popularity and power Nouwen calls the three temptations of Christian leadership.
Peter, however, chooses the right answer. He identifies the Son of Man as the Messiah, the one who comes so that all would know of the knowledge of the love of God. Peter is able to look around at where Jesus chooses to be, not just with the powerful and popular, but also with the poor and the lonely, the broken and the lost. This too is where God has chosen to offer grace and love. It's theological reflection that enables Peter to see where God is and where God is leading.
I believe this is the reason Jesus builds the church upon the name of Peter, as the story proclaims. This is why Peter is the true leader of the church. The ministry of the church is theological reflection. To consider the painful and joyful realities of everyday with the mind of Jesus and thereby raise human consciousness to the knowledge of God's gentle guidance.
"Who do you say that I am?" asks Jesus.
And all God's people say, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Amen.
Father Henri Nouwen wrote, "Theological reflection is reflecting on the painful and joyful realities of everyday with the mind of Jesus and thereby raising human consciousness to the knowledge of God’s gentle guidance."
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” asks Jesus of the disciples. It's a theological reflection question. Most of the disciples choose the most relevant, the most popular, and the most powerful in John the Baptist, Elijah and Jeremiah. These three... relevancy, popularity and power Nouwen calls the three temptations of Christian leadership.
Peter, however, chooses the right answer. He identifies the Son of Man as the Messiah, the one who comes so that all would know of the knowledge of the love of God. Peter is able to look around at where Jesus chooses to be, not just with the powerful and popular, but also with the poor and the lonely, the broken and the lost. This too is where God has chosen to offer grace and love. It's theological reflection that enables Peter to see where God is and where God is leading.
I believe this is the reason Jesus builds the church upon the name of Peter, as the story proclaims. This is why Peter is the true leader of the church. The ministry of the church is theological reflection. To consider the painful and joyful realities of everyday with the mind of Jesus and thereby raise human consciousness to the knowledge of God's gentle guidance.
"Who do you say that I am?" asks Jesus.
And all God's people say, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Amen.
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