Second Sunday of Trinity (SS Peter & Paul) (Year C) – Sunday 15th June 2025 – St Anne’s, Wrenthorpe (Eucharist)
Matthew 16.13-19 | 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 17-18 | Zechariah 4.1-6a, 10b-end
Today we give thanks for Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
We could spend a long time reflecting on how these two spiritual superheroes were used by God to shape the Church, to bring Christ into the world through word and deed, as the Holy Spirit made possible.
But time is short! So I’d like us to spend a few moments with Peter — mostly — and think about how their witness transcends time and space and speaks to us now.
If you’ve ever been to Caesarea Philippi, like me, you probably arrived on a coach tour — maybe historical, maybe devotional. Today, it’s an archaeological site in the far north of Israel, near the Syrian border, nestled at the foot of Mount Hermon. Not the most obvious holiday destination these days…
But in Jesus’ time, it was a living, bustling city — ruled by Philip, son of Herod the Great. He’d renamed it Caesarea Philippi to honour Caesar Augustus, building it on the ancient pagan city of Paneas. The area was full of shrines and temples — dedicated to Roman emperors and to the god Pan, a symbol of wildness, fertility, and fear.
A great cave there marked the headwaters of the River Jordan. People believed it to be one of the gateways to the underworld — the ‘Gates of Hades.’
So when Jesus brings his disciples here, to the very edges of their world, both geographically and spiritually — and He asks, ‘Who do you say I am?’ — He isn’t just making polite theological conversation, or getting some feedback. He’s making a claim.
Here, surrounded by symbols of empire, paganism, and death itself — Jesus declares that His identity, and Peter’s confession, will be the foundation of something new. A Church. A kingdom. One that even the gates of Hades won’t overcome.
In all the Gospel stories, amidst the places, people and moments of Jesus’s earthly ministry, Peter stands out.
He shows himself as one who asks questions, who doubts, yet affirms; Peter gets into the narrative – providing a real and human interface for the Divine in Jesus.
In our time and experience, society asks us to be good at stuff, excel or prove one’s worth; with a desperation to get into the spotlight or leave something for posterity.
What about Peter…? In what does he excel….?
We know him as a fisherman, from the shores of Galilee. We know him as a good friend to Jesus…
Also, for his rashness… for being impetuous, putting his foot into his own mouth – such a human thing to do!
Later we know him in other ways….. But for now….
This man, reflecting the thoughts of their little community, who had given up so much to follow Jesus, not really knowing where it would lead….
Peter speaks a truth no one had really thought of – the Messiah, God’s hope for Israel, was in their midst!
And Jesus sees that Peter is speaking not from any other evidence other than inspiration from God…
And right there, Jesus transforms Simon son of Jonah into Cephas: Peter the Rock….
A wise man builds his house on a rock… Jerusalem, the city built upon the rocks of Mount Zion….
And now this community, of those faithful to the rightful king of Israel, God’s anointed, built on the rock that is Peter – with all that human frailty can offer!
Is such a thing ‘good enough’ in our time and place, I wonder?
That Church, built on the Rock of faith, is not the structure, or the ritual; it isn’t the history, often oppressive and lacking humility; it isn’t even the theology, and the understanding of Scripture….
No…
Jesus recognised faithfulness to God – that journey both physical and spiritual – that takes each of us closer to God, into a relationship that will transform our lives. Such a journey is filled with challenge, moves through the darkness and the light, may last a lifetime…..
Faithfulness…
Jesus saw this transformative faith in so many of the people He encountered. All of scripture reveals the bounty of faith – self-revelation, a oneness with those around us and creation itself, and the hope of knowing we are loved and that love can prevail in the world – and all of this lived to the glory of God – through trust….
If we turned Jesus’ question around – and ask Him: “who do you say that I am?”…. What answer do you think He would give you?
“Well, Simon… if you have 20 minutes or, so, I can tell you all about your failings and how you have let people down, and not fulfilled the hope that God has in you…. The God who give you everything and yet you fail to trust…..! Tch!”
STOP!
If we are made in the image of God then the response, when we ask “who do you say that I am?” must be: “you are the beloved… fearfully and wonderfully made…”. Yes?
This can be hard to receive. Hard to hear…. Hard to believe…
If and when this comes home to us, that we are loved and known…. Then everything changes…
To come to this idea of belovedness, we must be self-aware, carefully uncovering and discovering our most real selves while staying connected to Spirit; leaning on prayer, scripture and sacrament. It is what we hope to show the world through our outpouring of love.
Jesus spends all His time revealing the bountiful love God has for everyone. In asking Peter this question, Jesus wanted to know where Peter was… in his transformation. Peter revealed his own trust and faith, and his proclamation is inspired!
But what next, for Peter? Does his recognition of the “Son of the Living God”, then, make him any more or less the Peter of those other moments yet to happen?
When he denies Jesus, does he have this foundational commission taken away? We imagine Peter being quite conflicted, in the courtyard, much later, with those questions – “Didn’t you know Jesus?”
“Well… He is actually the Messiah, we met Him, lived with Him, and hey – Jesus said He would literally build a church on me – yes me! I know!….. but hey – er, nope, I don’t know him, actually…..sorry, who?” Ugh…
Peter is gifted in being able to speak the words…. At the right moment…. On that occasion, in that place.
Elsewhere, his apparent failings are also his strengths in that he keeps on going. There is an integrity in his efforts to be faithful to Jesus – even in failure.
Thankfully the BBQ on the beach… Peter’s Restoration…. Provided a hope for all our futures.
Paul’s words in 2 Timothy sound bold — “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race” — but they’re not boastful. He’s not drawing attention to his achievements, but to the grace that carried him. These are the words of a man who has been poured out, abandoned, yet saved. The crown he speaks of is not a reward for greatness, but a gift from the righteous Judge — given not only to him, but to all who have longed for Christ. It’s not triumph, but testimony: that God has stood by him.
Called, served, broken, restored, sent out and upheld to the very end…
Without such faith, neither of these men could have lasted long in their missions, their journeys and struggles. Without this faith, they surely would have failed long before they arrived in Rome, to await the fate of so many of the early followers of Jesus. Without this faith, we too would surely be lost, overwhelmed by the tasks and burdens that lie ahead in our lives.
But you might think, ‘oh well, Peter, Paul and all the others, had very clear, personal invitations from Jesus..’. What about me? Fair comment…
We all encounter life, adversity and joy in unique ways. The ways in which we are inspired, touched and enlivened, are personal…
History has been enriched with routes to spiritual growth – different religions and ways of living that encourage us to look up, look within, and look out, at the world around us.
On reflection, we might think it’s just one person or one thing – scripture, or other words we read, music or nature, a moment that changes us…. Later in life, we might look back and see many connections, periods of our lives when we were listening, paying attention, in ways that prompted us to turn up, and hear the call to follow…. Follow Jesus…
There is often a person or community that has given an example of a faithful life. Maybe in scripture, maybe someone from another time and place – revealing a path to faith in God.
Whoever we have known to be the root of our faithfulness, it will have come at a cost to them, and it does so for us too.
In the days to come, my sisters and brothers, be like Peter and Paul! Not in their titles, not in their travels, but in their trust. Know that whatever your story, however broken or blessed,
God’s answer to “Who do you say that I am?” is always: “You are my beloved.”
Trust in this. Take strength from this, and when darkness is all around, know that the roots of our faith come from brokenness, failure, persecution and denial. These things we might own too.
As this beautiful knowing of being loved takes root in your life, you are transformed. Such a hope will prevail and must be shared. For we are all loved. And from this we might all proclaim Jesus as our King and Messiah.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.
Image: By SB on Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2008 – “Gates of Hades” and “Signage at Caesarea Philippi Site”.