Clearing Roadblocks (2014-08-31)

SUNDAY August 31, 2014   / 22^nd Sunday, Year A

Readings:  1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a | Psalm 85 | Romans 9:1-5 | Matthew 14:22-23

Title:   Clearing Roadblocks

[__01__] What we have just read in this Gospel was the conversation between Jesus, our Savior, and Peter, the Apostle.

The conversation just came to a sudden halt, a break in the action. There was a roadblock.

In last Sunday’s Gospel – part 1 of the conversation – Peter had been moving rapidly forward to the head of the class, answering the question about our Savior’s identity. The question was: “who do you say that I am?”  (Matthew 16:15)

With the correct answer, Peter had the equivalent of the positive momentum of a good grade on a test, early in the fall semester.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we observe Peter at a slower pace. He is really stationary.

And, there is apparently a disruption – a break – in the trust, the confidence – between Jesus and Peter.

Peter was the roadblock; Peter had a roadblock. This roadblock disrupted the trust between them.

[__02__]       Relationships are based on trust and confidence, are they not?

Every relationship whether the personal relationship between parent and child or the political relationship between senator and citizen is based on trust.

Therefore, all of these relationships are vulnerable to a disruption, a rupture due to some scandalous behavior or scandal.

[__03__]     In late 2013, a big news story in Trenton, New Jersey …and Fort Lee, New Jersey and New York City was about a roadblock, a scandal, and for some, a loss of public trust.

The George Washington Bridge Lane closure.

Thus, it is not just that a scandal can cause a roadblock or be the obstacle. Sometimes, the roadblock itself is the scandal.

And, this was the accusation against Peter.

Peter permitted himself to become a roadblock in the fast lane to Jerusalem, in the road to salvation.

Peter does not want Jesus to suffer and die. Thus, he is told – “Get behind me,  Satan.”  (Matthew 16:23)

Or, in the terminology of the State Police, please pull over, license, insurance, and registration, please.

[__04__]          Peter was not actually being sent to the Principal’s office or being punished or fined. He is simply being warned. And, isn’t it better for us also when we are let go with a warning…?

Peter was the roadblock… and was warned about this.

In some situations, you or I could become the roadblock to the goodness or good will of someone else or the goodness or good will of God.

[__05__]       For example, you or I could become a roadblock due to our …

[__05(a)__]       SELF PITY – of course, we might have real sorrows and difficulties which slow us down. But, do you and I  sometimes add even more weight, even more baggage to the compartment or fuel to the fire… by a refusal to accept any difficulty, any cross?

For example, you or I could become a roadblock due to our …

[__05(b)__]     DESIRE FOR MATERIAL PERFECTION – excessive attention to perfection or correctness could slow us down.

In our New Testament, 2^nd reading, today, St. Paul writes to the Romans –

“Romans 12:1-2 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.  Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

This reminds us of spiritual perfection, of repentance of our sins. This helps us to remove roadblocks.

However, sometimes, we get caught up in what is materially or superficially perfect.

What solves or removes roadblocks?

What we usually rely on for roadblocks might not actually work ….

[__06__]        For example, do we not often rely on the POLICE + FIRE DEPARTMENT + EMERGENCY SERVICES to remove roadblocks?

A car would be pulled out of the road… then traffic could flow again. Call 9-1-1.

But, this did does not work for Peter.  The police showed up, the Roman imperial guards showed up and arrested Jesus, took him away… Pontius Pilate – a government official intervened..but this did not convince Peter.

Peter remained a roadblock.

What other solution could there be?

[__07__]      Do we not also rely on other people, maybe a crowd of people or a team of people to clear a roadblock?

Some roadblocks are cleared in this way. After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, we witnessed many individuals, volunteers re-building houses, boardwalks, streets. Roadblocks were cleared.

And, at the time of the Passion, there was also a crowd surrounding Peter. They asked him, were you not with Jesus the Nazorean?  Your accent is similar to his, we saw you with him… Peter denies. The crowd does not convince Peter either.

[__08__]        What finally clears the roadblock for Peter is not the POLICE / LAW or the CROWD.

What clears the road for Peter is the awareness that Jesus rose from the grave, that Jesus lived after his suffering, death, resurrection.  This made our Lord’s Passion and Death worthwhile.

This is a message to us as well, to clear the way of our own brokenness, our own tendency toward self-pity or excessive attention to perfection… so that our heart may be changed from within and the way to be cleared.

[__fin__]