Lessons from St. Peter's 'good confession'
As I write this, it is January 18. For most folk, Christians included, the 18th of January holds no special meaning. But, in the more orthodox traditions of the Christian church, today is the Festival of St. Peter’s Confession. It is the day that we celebrate the “good confession” made by Peter, a disciple of Christ, to Jesus in response to Jesus’ question, “But what about you? Who do you say that I am?”

Peter’s eventual answer, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Most Christians have, at some time or another in their faith journey, said those same words. Most Christians have publicly made the “good confession” at least once at a baptism or a confirmation. Indeed, because those words or some very similar to them are included in creeds and liturgies of the church, most Christians have spoken them more than once, maybe even weekly.

At least that is one way to look at it. there is another, however.

That question is very personal AND very public. “But what about you?” is as personal as it gets. Jesus isn’t asking the church, scholars, preachers or keepers of the traditions; he is asking a singular person, me and/or you to speak for ourselves. No substitutes allowed.

“Who do you say that I am?” …sure with your words, but far more than that, with your life. As people look on your life, who do you say that I am in the relationships you choose, the way you parent or the way you care for parents? Who do you say that I am by the way you treat folk at work, friends or strangers? Who do you say that I am each time you write a check, share a resource or hold back the very same resources? When you speak, work or play, who do you say that I am?

We, the people of faith, are answering that question all the time.

So now the next question is…do I like my answer?

Just another thought from the shallows….