Sunday Reflection: Lost keys?

Today's reflection is brought to you by 
Matthew 16:13-20.

Our Sanctuary of Peace service today was our monthly Standing Stones service led by Verna, our knowledge keeper. But as Pastor Quinn is away, I came up with this reflection for our fourth Sunday service. We were a crowd of three at Pioneer Place, but where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there, too, Jesus said. 

Since it was a small crowd, we took the time to share our experiences of losing our keys. Three out of four of us found our keys again, and spoke about what a relief it was to get them back. But I spoke about the anxiety of responsibility for them and the pain of having to replace them (my coat walked away... and the keys went with it). Fortunately, the ones I lost were my own keys, not work keys, or that would have been a whole other ball of wax!

Keys are important and valuable things, and we tend to keep a very close eye on them. We don't want to be responsible for their loss causing big problems. Keep that in mind and I’ll circle back to it in a few minutes. 

In this morning’s reading, Jesus asks his followers who people say he is. At this point in his ministry, he’s become well-known in his homeland and there are many opinions about him. 

The disciples say people compare Jesus to prophets who weren’t afraid to speak the truth. John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin who lost his head for telling King Herod Antipas that he shouldn’t have married his half-brother’s wife. Elijah spoke against Queen Jezebel for pushing God’s people to worship idols, and she vowed to kill him but didn't succeed. Jeremiah called people on their idol worship and told them to change their ways, and got thrown into a mostly empty well. So you can see that prophets didn't have it easy. 

It’s interesting that people are seeing similarities between Jesus and the prophets, but that’s not what Jesus wants to hear from his followers. Yes, he’s also calling people to deepen their relationship with God, he’s calling out corrupt scribes and pharisees for pushing God’s laws without being loving toward the poor, and he’s said many prophet-like things that have gotten him in trouble. Maybe the people are seeing the side of him that speaks truth to power. 

But what Jesus really wants to know is who his disciples think he is. Simon the fisherman, an impulsive guy throughout the gospels, jumps right in, saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!”

And Bingo! That’s what Jesus wants to hear. He praises Simon, gives him his new name, Peter, and says he will be in charge of the keys to the kin-dom of heaven. Which is a pretty big honour, and probably an equally big responsibility. Whatever you decide is what will happen, Jesus tells him. Don’t lose those keys, Peter! 

But maybe Peter isn’t the only one who is given keys. After all, Jesus spends a lot of time healing people and talking about love and forgiveness, which are the real keys to a happy life. When he mentions binding and loosing things on earth and in heaven, could he be giving us those keys too? What do we bind? What can we loose? 

Today let’s spend a few minutes sitting with Jesus and thinking about those questions. 

I invite you to sit up straight in your chairs, or sit as comfortably as you can, and take in a deep breath.

Let it out quietly and slowly and relax your body as much as you can… lower your shoulders, let your hands rest lightly on your lap, close your eyes if you like. 

Imagine that you and Jesus are sitting together in a beautiful place at the top of a hill. 

The sun is warm, and you can smell good earthy, grassy smells. 

There are patches of wildflowers that catch your eye, and your can hear bees buzzing at their work, and see butterflies floating from flower to flower. 

Jesus is beside you and smiling at you. He invites you to tell him about your summer. 

He asks you about good things that happened, things that made you feel light and free. 

He asks you about the things that challenged you, things that weighed you down. 

He asks how you feel about both the light and the heavy things, and encourages you to think about how love, healing or forgiveness might be the keys in both kinds of situations. 

Are they keys that sometimes get lost? 

Is there any anger that is holding you down? What is binding you?

Is there unexpressed gratitude/love that would lift someone else up and help them heal? Can you set someone free?

Do you have some forgiveness that is waiting to be shared at the right moment? Can you set it loose?

Tell Jesus about these things in the next few moments of silence... 

Jesus says that you are God’s beloved, and that Creator’s love will help you with your joys and your challenges in the days ahead. 

He reminds you to turn to God whenever things feel heavy and difficult, and also when things are light and joyful. 

He gives you a hug, and whispers in your ear that love is your own set of keys to the kin-dom of heaven. 

And now I invite you to open your eyes and pray with me: 

Thank you, Creator, 
for sending Jesus to show us how to be free 
through healing and forgiveness, 
and through simple prayers of praise. 
Help us to let go of anger 
and hold on to love wherever we find ourselves, 
and to help others to do the same. 
Bless us, and help us to use the keys you have given to us. 

+Amen