A Stranger in Our Skin
- davidwperk
- Feb 12, 2024
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Monday, February 12, 2024
The week of the last Sunday after the Epiphany
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
17The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ . . . .25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, ‘You are not also one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ 26One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Devotional Readings (BCP, 951)
AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15
Today we celebrate the Feast of Charles F. Andrews. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
"If there is any human tragedy, there is only one, and it occurs when we forget who we are and remain silent while a stranger takes up residence inside our skin." So said a character in a James Lee Burke novel.+ In today’s Gospel, Peter forgot who he was and a stranger took up residence inside his skin.
Peter was his nickname, given him by Jesus and means something like “Rocky” in English. The Greek petros, meaning rock, we know from words petroleum; the root meaning is “oil in rock.” The Aramaic translation is Cephas, the nickname Paul used most often when addressing Peter or writing about him. His given name was Simon son of John. In today’s Gospel, the Gospel writer refers to him as Simon Peter, combining his given name and his nickname.
For between two and three years, Peter had shared Jesus’ journey. He had become one of Jesus’ confidants and had emerged as something of a spokesperson for the group with Jesus and with outsiders. He had become a central figure in the Jesus community. Later, he was to be the first of the Twelve to see the risen Christ.(Lk.24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5). Of course, we know that the women in the Jesus community were the first to whom Jesus appeared.
Peter was not the only one of the Twelve to abandon Jesus that night. In fact, he went farther and took more risks than the rest, following Jesus to the home of the High Priest and standing just outside the meeting place of the council interrogating Jesus. Yet, when the moment came for him to be himself and speak up, he wilted and a stranger took up residence in his skin. Yes, he may have been arrested. Yes, he may have been tried and executed. Yet, according to John, another of Jesus’ followers was inside with Jesus during the trial (Jn. 18:15-16).
We all can identify with Peter. A stranger has taken up residence in our skin all too often, and we’ve wilted under the pressure of a group in which we found ourselves. For example, how often do we hear social and political views expressed that violate our core values? If we remain silent and do not speak our truth, a stranger has taken up residence in our skin and our silence functions like assent to what is being said. I find myself growing more intolerant of ideological bullying and more willing to engage nose-to-nose with those bull horning values contrary to my faith perspective.
And, how often have we had the urge to speak something of our story of faith to a friend or acquaintance when they were discussing their doubts or their disbelief about the Christian story? Yet, so often we wilt and let that stranger in our skin keep us quiet. By so doing, we deprive those we care about of a bit of light about God’s saving love.
Perhaps, as we enter Lent, we can resolve to learn from Peter’s example and begin taking the risks of speaking our truth and bearing our witness to the One on whom we have set our hearts in faith. Just how much do we value acceptance and safety? More than we value our integrity, our living true to who we are, rather than allowing a stranger in our skin to silence us?
A lighthouse I would be
In wind and night--
For cod and smelt,
For every boat--Yet I myself
Am but a ship in distress!*
+James Lee Burke, The Glass Rainbow: A Dave Robicheaux Novel (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2010), p. 118.
*Wolfgang Borchert, cited by Helmut Thielicke, The Freedom of the Christian Man: A Christian Confrontation With the Secular Gods. Trans. John W. Doberstein (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1975 reprint ed. Orig. Published New York: Harper, 1969), p. 58.
Collect of the Last Sunday after the Epiphany
O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 217)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Charles F. Andrews, priest and “Friend of the Poor” in India (died 5 April 1940 CE)
Collect of the Feast of Charles F. Andrews
Gracious God, you called Charles Freer Andrews to show forth your salvation to the poor: By your Holy Spirit inspire in us a tender concern, a passionate justice, and an active love for all people, that there may be one Body and one Spirit in Jesus Christ, our Savior; who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
A Collect for All Baptized Christians
Grant, Lord God, to all who have been baptized into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, that, as we have put away the old life of sin, so we may be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 247)
A Collect for Early Evening
Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, John 18:15-27
15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. 17The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ 18Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing round it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.
19 Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20Jesus answered, ‘I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.’ 22When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, ‘Is that how you answer the high priest?’ 23Jesus answered, ‘If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?’ 24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, ‘You are not also one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ 26One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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