FRIDAY REVIEW

Pressing

Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle, January 18, A.D.2008

The ultimate question before each and every one of us is the one that Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do you say that I am? Impetuous Simon Peter answered: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16).

Once we confess Jesus our lives are never the same. Saint Peter had his times of great faith, of rashness, of denial, and of boldness in proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ Jesus. Tradition holds that Peter was crucified in Rome during the persecution under Nero. Christian martyrs have been many over the centuries, and recent decades have seen the blood flow ever more freely. Many of our brothers and sisters abroad experience very real persecution daily.

Most of us in the States will never know the red martyrdom, but many of us at all levels of the Church have experienced trials and tribulations in the ongoing crisis brought about by the actions of the Episcopal Church. This week we’ve seen the attempted inhibition of Bishop Robert Duncan in the wake of last week’s inhibition of Bishop John-David Schofield. Bishop Jack Iker is also under fire.

It is such a blessing to have godly bishops who do stand up for the faith once delivered to the saints. Just as Saint Peter had good days and bad, so it is with Saints Robert, John-David, and Jack. They have many hard days ahead as the realignment and reformation go forward. If you aren’t doing so already, please enter into daily prayer for these bishops and for all the leadership of the Common Cause Partners.

Almighty God, who gave to your servant Peter boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of the same our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Your brother in Jesus the Christ,

Jim McCaslin+