Many of you know that from time to time, I have been known to take to the mountains for a 3 or 5 day venture into the wilderness of the Cascade mountain range, usually staying at some campground that is not shown on any map. I mean places that are really off the beaten path.
Well, as I was on my last outing two weeks ago, I realized how important it was to de-compress from the day to day stuff that we all deal with. It was good to clear my head of all that was bouncing around in there. It was refreshing to get rid of all my trials and tribulations. However, one trial stayed around for a while.
The trial remaining I gave a name to. It was Chipper. Anyway, Chipper was a cute little thing. I laid a path of popcorn for him to munch on and to store up for the upcoming winter season, as chipmunks do. It must have not been good enough for the little guy. I woke up the next morning to grab the toilet tissue off the tree and found it missing. I looked under my chair by the tree and to my utter amazement, there was the roll in fine shreds left behind from the total inhalation of the roll.
All of a sudden I was lost. Now what, I asked myself! There is nothing around here to use. No leaves big enough, just allot of pine needles. I reached into my box of tricks, I call it, and moved the pots, pans, dishes, and other kitchen stuff and there it was in all its glory-a used ½ roll of toilet tissue.
Right then, as I was thanking God for this blessing, I looked up and to my amazement there it was, a mountain of rock standing tall as if to say to the rocks around it, we are this mountain! Right then and there, it all came clear to me. I was searching for ideas for my homily this weekend and through God’s gift, there it was. Well, God does speak very quietly. I saw Peter and I saw the Church around him. Upon this rock I shall build my church, says Jesus. The Church is not the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Lay. It is all of us just like that rock and the boulders around its base that make up that mountain.
At that point I felt I had the keys to God’s Kingdom on earth. His creation opened in front of me, even that little chipmunk named Chipper. I was in awe of his creation. I was in awe in how His creation spoke to me. God gave me the keys alright. He put me in the spot where I would see it all. He presented this to me.
I remember back when I was a teen and asked for the keys to my dad’s International travelall, which was similar to a large van. It was soon after getting my driver’s license and I was going to a football game with my sister. She went to the opposing H/S and I went to the home team H/S.
Well, Now I can do anything. I have my driver’s license. I knew it all. We went to the game, or at least were heading to the game when something unthinkable happened. It was a cold winter day and frost was on the road. There was a small hill just down from home about 300 yards or so with a very deep ditch to one side.
No sweat, I thought to myself. It just so happened that in all my wisdom the ditch and I became one. I walked back to the house with my sister and handed the keys to dad and went directly to my mother to tell her what had happened as if dad would not find out! Wrong!!!!
The taking of keys comes with a great responsibility. The teenager who receives the car keys for the first time, the couple who buys there first house receives the keys after closing, dignitaries receive the keys to the city as a gesture of welcome and appreciation.
Today’s gospel has to do with keys. Before Jesus hands over the keys he poses a question; “Who do people think I am?” There were allot of answers. The disciples gave him the public opinion. Then Jesus presses the question at a more personal level; “Who do you say that I am?” This time He was not allowing them any wiggle room. You can just imagine the disciples standing around looking at each other, hemming and hawing, trying to figure out what to say.
And it is Peter who comes to the rescue. Good old Peter! You could call Peter many things but uncertain was not one of them. He spoke for all the others and he got it right. And Jesus says to Peter; “I am giving you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.” And Peter is changed, forever and he gets his new name and a new identity as the leader of Christ’s Church.
Those same keys in the hands of Jesus opened ears, eyes, and hearts. Those keys, in the hands of Jesus, shut out darkness, evil, and even death itself. Now those keys came with a huge responsibility- they unlock heaven’s door.
So Jesus turns to us—“You! You there! Yes, you…. Who do you say that I am? The question hangs in the air….. it won’t go away. We do our own hemming and hawing, and perhaps we point to others. And Jesus says, “I am not interested in what others think; I want to know what you think.”
We realize who He is, but who is he really? He has come into our lives and rearranged our worlds, but who is he and why can’t we come up with an answer? Who is He who multiplies loaves of bread, who walks on turbulent waters, who cures with words or a simple touch? Who is he who told us that he was the bread of life, the shepherd, the vine, the light, the truth and the life? Who is He? Is he one of these or all of these?
We carry this question in our hearts throughout our lives—–it is asked of us over and over. It’s a question that can grow and mature in us as achievements, tragedies, and sufferings that shape us and change us. It is a deeply personal question—- just between us and Christ.
It may be the most important question we’ll ever have to answer. So, how are we going to answer it? “You are the Messiah, the one who will establish peace and justice on the earth, and I offer my services to you.” “You are the Son of God, the one who will ensure that the weakest and most vulnerable of society will not be exploited, and I will stand in their defense.” “You are the Messiah, the one who will usher in the kingdom of peace here on earth, and I commit myself to the practice of peace.”
There comes a time when we have to answer this question—- we have to make our own confessions, just like Peter. And just like when my dad handed me the key’s to that vehicle for the first time, there will be risk, and there will be danger. Christ is standing there with the keys—- What are we going to say? He is here with us right now, among us, present in this gathering, in the word, in the priest, in the Eucharist, the deacon— the walking, talking, living presence of God in our lives. And in a few moments, he’ll be on this table.
When we process to communion, when we extend our hands, just like reaching for the keys, when we eat and drink, will we be able to give him our final answer—- “Who do you say that I am?”
Thank you Father for giving me the keys to your creation. Thank you for little Chipper who will sleep warm and cozy this winter in my toilet tissue.