September 3, 2017 | 22nd Ordinary Sunday The gospel this Sunday is a continuation of what we read last Sunday. Last Sunday Simon Peter confessed Jesus as Christ, the “the Son of the living God.” Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter and then grants him authority (the image of the giving of the keys). Yet, in the blessing given to Peter, there is already a tinge of foreboding and warning. Simon is addressed as bar Jonah. Simon is a name derived from the word shema (to hear, to listen). This is supposed to be the perennial posture of the children of the covenant, hearing and listening to. But, Simon (the one who listens) is also called bar Jonah (the son of Jonah). Jonah, as we know from his story, is the prophetic embodiment of not listening, avoidance, reluctance, disobedience. Not only that, but Jonah dares to question how God should be God. Jonah, who is only the mouthpiece, the spokesman (prophet). He can’t stand God for being who God is: merciful and magnanimous. Thus, is Simon bar Jonah a name full of irony and paradox. When he is named Peter (Petros) by Jesus, the paradox continues (and is especially made manifest in what we hear today for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time). Peter’s name (Petros in Greek) is derived from the word petra, meaning rock or stone. So it is both a name denoting stability and firmness and pointing to Peter’s later and stubbornness. Exactly what type of rock is Peter? He is a rock that can crumble into pieces as well (see Peter in the passion narratives of the gospels for that).
September 3, 2017 | 22nd Ordinary Sunday The gospel this Sunday is a continuation of what we read last Sunday. Last Sunday Simon Peter confessed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter and then grants him authority (the image of the giving of the keys). Yet, in the blessing given to Peter, there is already a tinge of foreboding and warning. Simon is addressed as bar Jonah. Simon is a name derived from the word shema (to hear, to listen). This is supposed to be the perennial posture of the children of the covenant, hearing and listening to. But, Simon (the one who listens) is also called bar Jonah (the son of Jonah). Jonah, as we know from his story, is the prophetic embodiment of not listening, avoidance, reluctance, disobedience. Not only that, but Jonah dares to question how God should be God. Jonah, who is only the mouthpiece, the spokesman (prophet). He can’t stand God for being who God is: merciful and magnanimous. Thus, Simon bar Jonah is a name full of irony and paradox. When he is named Peter (Petros) by Jesus, the paradox continues (and is especially made manifest in what we hear today for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time). Peter’s name (Petros in Greek) is derived from the word petra, meaning rock or stone. So it is both a name denoting stability and firmness and pointing to Peter’s later and stubbornness. Exactly what type of rock is Peter? He is a rock that can crumble into pieces as well (see Peter in the passion narratives of the gospels for that).
Musing_Sept_3.docx