Following Jesus at a Distance
- davidwperk
- Sep 4, 2023
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Monday, September 4, 2023
Proper 17, the week of the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrase for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
54Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 982)
AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15
2 Chron. 6:32-7:7; James 2:1-13; Mark 14:53-65
Today we celebrate the Feast of Albert Schweitzer. (See below.)
David's Reflections
The four Gospel accounts of Jesus’ arrest and trail have Peter denying that he knew Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times. At the Last Supper, when Peter and all the others had sworn that they would die with Jesus, Jesus had warned all of them that they would forsake him and flee. And, he had warned Peter of those now-famous denials. Not one of them, Peter included, had taken Jesus’ warning seriously.
Today’s reading has Peter at the fire outside the home of the high priest and describes his behavior with the phrase “Peter had followed him at a distance.” Surely, that distant lurking had been to insure that Peter himself would not be arrested. And, now, rather than being inside with Jesus, Peter lurks outside.
However, a couple of items to note. First, Peter was the only person to draw his sword and resist Jesus’ arrest in the Garden. He had stopped, only at Jesus’ insistence, inflicting a wound on one of the servants by severing an ear (He obviously was not aiming at the ear). None of the rest dared dying in order to resist.
Second, Peter was alone in the courtyard. None other of the Twelve had dared to follow, even at a distance. We know from John 18 that an anonymous disciple went in with Jesus to the trial. But, beside him, no one else was this closely present and this much at risk.
Peter may have intended to try freeing Jesus with armed intervention. That’s one explanation for his denials and his hovering near the trial. We do not know. What we do know—his behavior was a strange combination of courage and the failure of courage. And, in that way Peter resembles us—daring at times, risking at times, and at other times shrinking into the background, a step or two short of more profound risk.
It is possible to be, like Peter that night, so very near the cross of Christ in our journey but totally ambivalent about sharing Christ’s rejection in our life context. We can be thankful that, like Jesus did with Peter (John 21:15-19), Jesus keeps the door open for us for ongoing discipleship even when we fail profoundly and leave him to bear rejection without our companionship.
I stumbled across this amazing quote about this in a theological discussion of Holy Eucharist. All I can say in response is “Amen”!
"The Christian call to embrace the cross as Jesus did is . . . a call to surrender ever
more of one's life to God; to abandon every illusory project of control and self-
justification; to allow oneself, in loving trusting faith, to be taken over by Another.”+
+Nathan D. Mitchell, Eucharist as Sacrament of Initiation (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1994), p. 36.
Collect of the Day, Proper 17, the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 233)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Albert Schweitzer, theologian, physician, missionary, organist (died 4 Sep 1965 CE)
Collect of the Feast of Albert Schweitzer
O God, who endowed your servant Albert Schweitzer with a multitude of gifts for learning, beauty, and service: Inspire your Church that we, following his example, may be utterly dedicated to you that all our works might be done to your glory and the welfare of your people; through Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. 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)
For Those Who Mourn
Merciful God, whose Son Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus: look with compassion on all who are bound by sorrow and pain through the death of N. (or a loved one). Comfort them, grant them the conviction that all things work together for good to those who love you, and help them to find sure trust and confidence in your resurrection power; through Jesus Christ our deliverer. Amen. (Enriching Our Worship: 2, pp. 65-66)
A Prayer for Light
Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we implore you of your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of this light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy Spirit; through 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)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 14:53-65
53 They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. 54Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. 55Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. 56For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. 57Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.” ’ 59But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ 61But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah,* the Son of the Blessed One?’ 62Jesus said, ‘I am; and “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”, and “coming with the clouds of heaven.” ’ 63Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses? 64You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’ All of them condemned him as deserving death. 65Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, ‘Prophesy!’ The guards also took him over and beat him.
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer Noonday Prayer, p. 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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