Keys of the Kingdom

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

I have been known to lose my keys and get frantic trying to find them. It usually has happened when I am running behind or when things are already hectic. When my daughters were young, there were even times when a small child would deposit them in an unknown location in the house like a toy box or a bathroom, and completely forget when questioned. It's a very human thing to loose things and to feel foolish and frustrated. We can even feel like a failure when the simple but things like keys get misplaced.

Jesus asked the disciples what folks are saying, and then asked what the disciples think. Peter blurts out what comes to his head, like he often does. Jesus promises him the keys to the kingdom. Peter, the very human, very fallible, self-doubting rough edged disciple is the foundation of the church. And we too, the fallible the ones who lose keys and our way sometimes, like Peter, are still given the keys and are never far off from God's love and guidance.

Today, I ask God to help me forgive my failures and move forward with the work of living out God's love in this world. May we, when we lose our keys, or lose sight of God's love for us, remember Peter, and forgive ourselves and others so that we too might loose divine love into a needy world.

The Collect

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.