In last week’s sermon you learned that God values diversity of cultures. Through Baptism God accepts each individual with all of their uniqueness. The Magi were culturally, linguistically, and ethnically different than Jesus and the Jewish people. They presented themselves to Jesus; which is the first step of baptism. This week we learn about Simon Peter and the call to profess faith.

Lacking Boundaries

Saint Peter by Paolo Emilio Besenzi

Simon Peter was a leader among the 12 disciples. He was kind of a “manly man.” He was a fisherman and an entrepreneur. He likely left his home with his brother Andrew to start a fishing business in the sea of Galilee, which was a growth industry at the time. Peter was a little rough around the edges, and you could say that he lacked personal boundaries. We know this because of the things he said and did in the Bible. 

One time Jesus was telling Peter and the other disciples that he would need to go to Jerusalem. He would be arrested, beaten, suffer, and die on a cross. This didn’t make much sense to Peter. So Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him. He told Jesus that this, “shall never happen.” Peter crossed a boundary of what a disciple or student should say and act like with their teacher. Peter’s attempted rebuke earned him the famous quoted scorn from Jesus, “Get behind me satan!” (Matthew 16:23) 

“Get Behind Me Satan” also happens to be the title of one of my favorite albums from the rock group, “The White Stripes.”  I first started listening to the White Stripes when I had graduated from college and was out living on my own for the first time. During those years I shared apartments with roommates. I learned just how common it was for people to have boundary issues. One time I shared a “Jack and Jill” bathroom with a roommate. That is, we each had our own entrance. I made the mistake of trying to alter the decorations in this bathroom. Near war almost broke out! This same roommate said I had boundary issues. At least that’s what he wrote in his diary. I’m kidding! I would never read someone’s diary. But I did learn that boundaries can make or break a relationship. 

No Sense of Self

One reason why people struggle with boundaries is because they struggle with their sense of self. A person without a clear understanding of who they are, is more apt to cross into the space of someone else. They have a hard time detecting where they end and another person begins. This is enmeshment, or codependency.

Peter struggled with his sense of self and being codependent. Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three times. Peter said that would never happen! He was so sure that he was Jesus’ right hand man. Peter caved. He flip flopped to get along with whoever was questioning him. He avoided conflict and lacked a sense of self. (Matthew 26:69-75)

Baptism

The Baptism of Christ by Giovanni Bellini

Baptism is a solution and a help