saint of the week

So, here we are with Lent rapidly approaching.  Maybe you are trying to decide what to give up or what to do for Lent.  Maybe you are like my husband, and planning to give up your New Year's Resolution for lent.  Maybe you haven't even given it a thought.

 

Whatever the case, consider this:  This week we also celebrate the Chair of St. Peter.

To be honest I had to look this one up.  Why celebrate um, a chair?  Well, because of what it means.

Christ put Peter in charge.  He gave him the keys to church (on holy cards, Peter is usually pictured as a bald guy holding keys).  The chair signifies the unity of church.  It signifies the one who Christ chose to keep things rolling. It's important. 

 

I think that we should look at the guy though, I think we need to take a look at Peter.

As we discuss in Intersection, everything that is in the Gospels is there for a reason.  Peter is often in the Gospels.  More often than not he is screwing up.  He tries to walk on water, but he sinks.  He sees Jesus transfigured and wants to build a tent.  He falls asleep in the garden.  He denies even knowing Christ.

Yet, when Jesus asks who do you say that I am, Peter nails it.  He says that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. 

Whoa.  Peter has passion.  Yes, he screws up.  Can you imagine the pain he must have been in, the torment that he endured between Good Friday and Easter for denying Christ?  Maybe that's why the first word that the Risen Christ says is "peace".  In a word, He tells Peter, that he understands, and that all is well.

God likes passion.  In the Book of Revelation, God says that he does not want us to be lukewarm about our faith.  He says that if we are, He will spit us out!  ew.

Maybe that's why Jesus likes Peter.  He is not luke warm.  He is zesty.  He is on fire.

He gives the keys of heaven to a guy who is totally human.  Who screws up, but loves God with all of His heart, and undoubtedly he would have followed Christ to the ends of the earth.

Word is that Peter died in 64 AD. He was a martyr. He was crucified upside down because he did not feel worthy to die the same way as Christ.  Zesty even in death.

So maybe this lent, if you are feeling kind of lukewarm about your faith, you should work to regain your passion.  If you can get that by just giving up chips, God bless you.  But if you are like the rest of us, it's going to take more than that.  If you need some ideas, just email me.  I have tons of them, just ask my kids.  Casey wants to give up lent for lent.

Well, all that being said, I am now going to retire to the Chair of Jamie.

It does not signify any thing other than the kids are asleep and it's time to watch Grey's Anatomy.