Now 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. Matthew 16:13-20
Most human beings find themselves bound by one thing or another. We bind ourselves to others in marriage, in a family, in all sorts of relationships. We can also become overburdened by the things what people we have committed to. We might even pray to be set free engulfed in terror and tears. In our Gospel today, Peter’s faith and insight give him the power to bind and loose. We are like Peter, with all our faults, given the same power. May we bind up the fear and anger around us, and let loose with compassion, justice and love.
Loving Creator, source of freedom and joy
You bind us together in your loving arms
And give us power to be your heart right here.
We are often fearful, angry and confused
Ready to strike out or run away from others
Yet you call us to let go of all our fears today.
Bind us in you, dear Lord, so we might be strong
Ready to stand against the evil in the world
And full of love to set others free of all fears. Amen.
