Jesus gives Simon a new name . . . Kepha or Cephas, which we translate to be Peter. So we have Simon (his old name) now known as Simon Peter (or Peter the rock, or Simon “Rocky”) [I start singing the theme song from the movie “Rocky”]
But what does it mean to be a rock? Well, Peter is the solid rock on which the Church is built, but what does that mean for us, personally, to have a Peter “Rocky?” Well think of what a rock is. [I hold up a large rock] We can learn a lot from rocks and from Peter . . .
1. Rocks are everywhere in Israel. Those of you who will be joining me next September for our ten-day retreat to the Holy Land will find that out. Rocks show up everywhere. When you think of the gospel, Peter shows up everywhere . . . in all the significant stories of Jesus . . . the Transfiguration, walking on water, healing of the sick girl, Last Supper, etc.
One of our first tasks as a follower of Christ . . . is simply to show up. For example, if there is someone that you know who has gone through a hard time, show up at their door! We often say, “If you need anything, call me.” They never do, you never do it, I never do it. So don’t wait to be invited . . . show up. It is so important not just to say that you care, but to show that you care.
Knock on the door; bring some cookies! And don’t be afraid to bring up the trauma in conversation. Open the door for them. Don’t try to explain or fix the problem. Don’t offer false counsel, for example “Well it’s all for the best” or “This must be God’s plan.” Blarney on that. I don’t believe that God purposefully plans to inflict pain. If anything, I believe that God is crying right alongside us.
What I like to say is . . . “Yah, that’s tough. This is hard.” And don’t make comparisons like saying, “Oh I know what you are going through.” You do not. None of us do. Simply show up, be there . . . and listen. Maybe your task is to help them pray or to help them cry, it doesn’t matter. Show up!
I want to say some other things about showing up . . . as some of you go off to college soon. My last assignment was at the Newman Center (which serves St. Cloud State University.) One professor told me that the #1 secret to doing well in college . . . is simply to show up. Don’t skip class. Be there.
That also applies to your work situations, your family gatherings and here at Church . . . show up. We all can make excuses. I say, "When the going gets rocky, let the rocky in you gets going."
2. Look at this rock. Like all rocks, it is not perfect. Peter was not perfect. He consistently flubs up. He denies that he knew Jesus before the crucifixion. We will hear next week, how after this wonderful affirmation of Jesus being Christ today, he goes on to say that Jesus shouldn’t have to suffer. And Jesus calls him a Satan. Gee. Well Peter wasn’t perfect . . . actually, he probably couldn’t read or write, was usually stinky from all the fish guts on his clothes and he was consistently objecting to what Jesus had to say.
So why do you think that you have to be perfect? I find that people who can be honest about themselves are refreshing. That’s why people who are in recovery programs are so delightful because they have an honest spirituality. I’ve heard it say that religion is for people who are trying to avoid hell and spirituality is for those who have already been there.
St. Francis de Salles said, “Be who you to be and be that well.” I find that the real “rocks of our faith” are people who are aware of their weakness, their sins.” So here’s your spiritual mediation for the week . . . talk this over with God: “What is your core weakness?” Naming it is the building stone for improving it.
3. Last thing . . . [put rock on the floor] a rock can be a stumbling block [as I trip over it] or a stepping-stone [I stand on it]. Peter made all sorts of mistakes but he was able to transform himself to become the leader of the Church. Another core aspect of “people of solid faith” is that they have known suffering and they have been transformed by the pain. Suffering can make you bitter or it can make you better.
No one plans for suffering; we plan for happiness. But suffering is essential to depth. We are formed by our wounds. Those “Rocks of our faith” (like the saints) knew suffering and were able to be transformed by it and find a sense of calling.
I like the saying, “If you don’t transform your pain, you will always transmit it.”
Let me give you an example, there are some people who have lost a child (which has to be immensely traumatic and painful) and were able to go start a foundation so that others wouldn’t
have to go through the same experience. Peter says, “You are the Christ.” Christ is the transforming agent that says, “All will be well again.” Christ is the mystery that says no matter how dark or painful your experience is . . . there will always be hope, there will always be light . . and forgiveness.
Victor Frankl was a survivor of the Concentration Camps in World War II. A line from his famous book “Man’s Search for Meaning” says:
“. . it did not really matter what we expected from life,
but rather what life expected from us.
We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life,
and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life--daily and hourly.”