Convenient Omissions

Gospel: Matthew 16: 13-23

It is tempting to take this Gospel passage and only focus on the first or second half exclusively and not take it as an entirety.  Each convenient omission is designed to provide us with an absolute certainty that is most assuredly false.  Those who only focus on Peter's receiving power and authority seek some assurance in a flawed human being that ignores his weaknesses and limitations.  It seeks an unquestioning institution that does not exist and never did.

At the same time if we only look at the flaws of Peter we ignore both his strengths and the fact that he does receive this commission from Jesus.  Every institution needs some structure and for better or worse this is the one we have.  We have to respect it and work with it even if we are not to put our entire faith into it.  We have to recognize our own limitations and flaws just as we recognize those of Peter as well.  We cannot rest in our own certitude which seeks to critique that of another.

So we must take this passage as a whole, not ignoring either side of the reality.  We would love to avoid the tension of this reality and seek a false certitude in an institution or in our own powers, both of which are flawed and ultimately false gods of various sorts.  The place of authentic faith is in this uncertainty and tension.  It is my flawed existence in communion with the flawed existence of other people seeking our way to enlightenment and to the reign of God..