There's a theme running through our scriptures this morning, inviting us to focus on identity: what it means, how it plays out, how it impacts our daily lives. (And, how our human nature has always used identity as a means to divide rather than include.
We know the readings aren't terrible - especially if we haven't really gone much deeper into them than what we learned as children. But we are called to go deeper - always to go deeper - so that we reflect the living Word of God as we journey forward.
The passage from Exodus, for example: A Sunday School lesson will highlight a few characters: New Pharoah: insecure bad guy; his daughter: compassionate foster mom. Moses: the original basket case who will be VERY important in future!
While age-appropriate, this misses a lot. After all, we have here a genocidal despot is so intimidated by his slaves that he orders male infanticide - and intentionally allow the girls to live, so that his soldiers could father a whole generation of children - thereby eradicating the matrilineal Hebrew lineage.
This is a horror so profound even his daughter opposed it, hence her caring for a known Hebrew boy, employing his unemployable mother (whose identity was likely known), and giving the child an Egyptian name - child of the water - to aid in his protection.
There's a LOT going on... Pharoah called himself a great ruler while the world knows him as a murderer. The midwives were known to be pitifully without family, become guardians of a generation; a mother known to send away her child, out of desperation becomes a paid (albeit temporary) caregiver.
Who we think we are is not always what the world knows about us.
Our Psalm returns to this understanding of identity as a dividing practice; in this hymn of victory. While we all like to win, this divide of peoples is neither casual nor temporary - this is a powerful us-vs-them stance in recalling the exodus from Egypt.
Yet here, the character is obvious. Having known devastation, these Jews do not relish in the devastation of others. Their identity was to aim toward humanity; and that is what the world would see of them.
Paul's letter calls for the Christians in Rome to be firm in their Christian identity - not just when they gather, nor as a status symbol in the community, but by putting away the old, earthly identity and taking on the Christian one: moving from the worldly desire for power and prestige to a faithful engagement with their world in self-sacrifice and with humble hearts.
Paul emphasizes the importance of letting their Christianity infuse every aspect of their life, and reminds them that their individuality is part of what they bring to the body of Christ. Their differences do not mean division - rather they enrich the identity of the whole community of Christians.
And in the Gospel today, we have two great identity pieces, about how we are known to ourselves, how we are perceived by others, and how we want to be known within the community.
In re-naming Peter (who seems to collect names, by the way - Simon, Simeon, Cephas, Simon Peter, eventually St. Peter!) the change in name is a visible transition for everyone to see. This ordinary, eager, fumbling follower of Jesus has become an unlikely symbol of stability, with a name that has never been used before: Peter. Boulder/ foundation/rock ledge... the one to receive the keys to the kingdom.
That's a lot. But at the same time, it isn't - many traditions understand this identity change does not mean Peter portrays apostolic prominence, but that he has a new responsibility as their representative.
And Jesus' questions about his own identity: using the "Son of Man" as the concept that the faithful were waiting for, to his own "I AM" statement that alluded to the burning bush - Jesus is revealing God's presence differently to the world and to his closest friends.
Yet, despite his complex and cryptic comments, his identity does not change: he remains that divine revelation to all, as they are able to hear it, encouraging and empowering ordinary people like Simon Peter to do extraordinary ministry in the name of God.
How fascinating, then, that after starting the conversation about identity, and engaging deeply with it, Jesus clearly orders them to deny his identity as the Messiah. He knew the world wasn't yet ready to receive him as the fully human and fully divine Messiah that peter and the others proclaimed.
And so the invitation extends, for us: as individuals, as communities, as Christians.
Who do WE say that we are?
Who do others say that we are?
Because it is very important to be able to articulate this! It denotes a self-awareness and maturity. It's why a question like "tell me a little bit about yourself" can be a very revealing insight into someone - like our episcopal nominees were asked in their videos.
And further - do these expressions of identity match up with our day-to-day actions?
Did they before COVID? Do they now, as we still fumble and bumble along? How will they when we enter a post-COVID reality - realising that we still have NO idea what that will look like, or when it may happen.
Because - like it or not - the world has changed, and is continuing to change. We are constantly adapting to a new (and ever-changing!) reality - the past 6 months have been a roller coaster of reality! And we are at a time to be clear about who we are.
So I invite us to each pray this week - spending time with God to reflect on how we articulate our own identity, and how we present that to the world. Who do we say that we are? Who do others say that we are?
I invite us to consider our church's identity - because during this COVID time we have recognised that we are so much more than our historic building: we are a community that is grounded in prayer and praise, called to love God and serve others. And we know that we can do more.
And finally... how do others see us?
Because that is a significant part of the discernment, and can lead to new and exciting discussions. Who do we say that we are... who do others say that we are... and how can we authentically present our love of God to the world.
Whatever our answers are, let's sit with those, for they form our identity at this time.
Moving forward, let's be intentional about what we do with them... let's embrace the parts of them that resonate with us. Let's cast aside those aspects that we are ready to let go of. And let's engage in ministry in ways that tells the truth of our lives and our faith: in all ways proclaiming that we are followers of Jesus: the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.
Amen.
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