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Jesus says, “if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven”.  Which would be great if we ever agreed on anything.

Today’s gospel, Matthew 18:15-20, does not seem like a great advertisement for the church community: a bunch of people pointing out each other’s faults and snitching on one another.  But it is at least honest about one thing, being in community is hard work.  The church is full of troublesome people and sometimes the troublesome people are us.  Yet community is also where we thrive, where we find support and guidance, where we learn and grow.  

Last week Peter was at the top of the class for declaring that Jesus was indeed the son of God.  But this week, in Matthew 16:21-28, he is down at the bottom for failing to understand what it meant for Jesus to be the Christ.

The disciples have experienced miracles and wonders; they have been taught how to build a community that mirrors the kingdom of God.  Now they are learning that this work comes at a cost as Jesus shares the news of his suffering and death. 

Peter like Jeremiah, in our first reading Jeremiah 15:15-21, wants to know why suffering is necessary, do we have to struggle, must we lose our life in order to save it?

“On this rock I will build my church”.  But which rock, exactly, is Jesus talking about in Matthew 16:13-20?  We assume that he means Peter because he has just given the right answer (and because his name means stone).  But, in next week’s gospel, that same Peter will be called a stumbling block; still a rock but this time one that is in the way rather than a sure and strong foundation.

The particular rock on which Jesus and his disciples are standing is that of Caesarea Philippi.  A place where God’s people had been tested before. A place where they had been asked to put their allegiance to the Roman Empire above their allegiance to God.  A place where, those who chose God, faced defeat and death.  A place where they were tested.

This conversation takes place just before Jesus predicts his own defeat and death. 

It’s not about us.  It never was.

After the return from exile, the people of God had fierce debates about how to build their future.  For some (e.g. Ezra and Nehemiah), it was all about them, they wanted to be holy, pure and observant and they wanted to include only other holy, pure and observant people in the new Israel.  For Isaiah 56:1, 6-8, it was not about us, it was about God.  In our first reading the prophet argues passionately for God’s inclusion of all people: “Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides.”

Who was in and who was out, who was worthy and who unworthy continued to be a source of debate. 

Elijah is knackered.  Having publicly opposed the monarchy, started a jihad and slaughtered all the priests of the opposing religion, he flees from a death sentence.  Collapsed In the desert he asks to die. At this precise moment, in 1 Kings 19:9-18, God shows up: provides him with food, water and rest and takes him to a place of safety.

The disciples have also exhausted their strength.  Our translation of Matthew 14:22-33, tells us that they were “battered” by waves but the original Greek word is best translated as “violently tormented”.  They are skilled and experienced sailors yet all their resources have failed.  At this moment Jesus turns up and takes them to a place of safety.

What is interesting is how differently the prophet and the disciples respond.