“PETER'S EPISTALATORY GOSPEL 5”
1 Peter 5
Lent Midweek 5: 30 March Anno Domini 2023
Fr Jay Watson, SSP
Saint Peter’s 1st Epistle (along with John’s three letters) are called the Catholic Epistles since they are written primarily for all the Church and not just Corinth, Ephesus, Rome, or Colossae. Peter’s Lenten words of strength and peace are for all of you, to be sure. But, in chapter 5 he begins with a specific address to pastors: “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder.”
Our modern day congregational “elders” are not the same as New Testament Biblical elders. They were pastors—preachers/teachers of The Gospel—PUBLICALLY—and administrators of The Holy Sacraments.
The Prince of The Apostles takes seriously his role as first among equals, as the one to whom Christ spoke: “thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom…” [Mt. 16. 18-19].
Is our Church built upon Peter the man? Well, yes…and no. The Church, notwithstanding what the Romanists say, is not a Platonic “ideal.” The Church is real, solid, concrete, and incarnational. The Church is where The Gospel is Preached and where The Holy + Washings and Eatings take place. There is no “confession” of Saint Peter: “Thou art The Christ, The Son of The Living God,” without the man Peter to proclaim those words. We are not Gnostics. Saint Paul reiterates: “The Household of God…built upon the foundation of The Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone” [Eph. 2.19]. The Church is built on Christ—His Person and His Work. He is The Church. He is the head, but there is the body—the bride—and it is made up of faithful sheep and faithful under-shepherds such as Saint Peter—pastor/elder Peter!
These pastors, all pastors are to “feed the flock of God which [are] among you, taking the oversight [episkopos/bishopric/supervision]…willingly; not for money or prestige or honor…neither as being lords (bosses; little popes) over God’s heritage (God’s people), but being examples to the flock.”
That is an incredible charge or responsibility or duty to pastors. None are worthy. None are beyond total reproach or criticism. Paul sets up the qualifications for Bishops and Pastors in his 1st Letter to Timothy. But pastors are to strive for faithfulness and repent of their short-comings; just like all Christians. During this Lententide we again have had a good “season” for “elders/pastors” to repent, study, meditate, pray, and attend to the call Christ has placed them into.
But this Lent has been for all of you as well.
How are you doing? There is still time during Passiontide. Today is the day which The Lord hath made!
Peter’s words to you, much like Moses’ words to the Israelites in their Lenten desert are Jesus’ words to you: “you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder/pastor. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.”
Because we don’t obey God’s Law, we repent and pray The Holy Spirit for aid; and He does “stand beside us” [Paraclete] and constrains us with Grace.
Because Peter was an eye-witness of the “sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of The Glory that shall be revealed,”
Peter beheld the glory of The Miracles (his own, temporary, walking on water), The Transfiguration, The Living Christ on Easter evening, and the supernal Ascension to The Right hand of God.
Jesus wants you to believe and confess that you too behold these glories when The Word absolves you, when in Holy Scripture you encounter your Baptism, and when you receive The very Body and Blood of God in The Sacrament.
Peter beheld the sufferings of Jesus. He witnessed His Master’s agony at Gethsemane (between his own bouts of sleep), His violent arrest; His abuse before Caiaphas, and His bloody Crucifixion.
Peter’s own Lenten struggles—are yours and mine as well. Peter spoke too often when he should have simply focused and listened as did Mary of Bethany. Peter liked the Glory of a restored Davidic Jewish Monarchy more than talk of crosses and dying. Peter was a coward—he fled from the mob and he denied even knowing The Nazarene. But, in the end, he did feed the Lord’s sheep. He did preach Christ crucified. He did go to Rome where he was crucified himself. His blood pointing you all to the only Blood that matters, that justifies—The Blood of The Lamb!
Be sober. Yes, be sober from gluttonous drunkenness. But better yet, be sober/serious in throttling down whatever daily sin most “trips you up.” Be vigilant like the Christian soldier you are for your enemy the devil, as a roaring lion, prowls about seeking whom he may devour. And when you are fallen; when you do overindulge the sins of the flesh; when you do try to bargain with demons and your “old Adam,” take Christ’s heart into you. “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”
The sulfur stench snake “lion” from hell has been vanquished. The serpents from the Exodus desert have been defeated by the brazen serpent on the pole…i.e., by The Christ upon His Holy Cross. Your Lenten disciplines are kept in Christ Who keeps you in Him. The True “Lion of Judah” Immanuel has crushed Satan’s head, so that upon your Holy + heads “ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of The Holy Ghost
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