Matthew 16:13-20 (adapted from NRSV)
12th Sunday of Pentecost
Readers: Storyteller, Jesus, Simon Peter, Disciple 2 (optional)
Storyteller: Today’s reading comes from Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 16, beginning with verse 13.
Jesus, Peter and the other disciples enter the district of Caesarea Philippi. Listen carefully to what Jesus asks the disciples and says to Simon Peter. Here is Jesus now.
Jesus: Who do people say that the Son of Humanity is?’
Disciple 2 (or Simon Peter): Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah,
and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
Jesus: But who do you say that I am?
Storyteller: Simon Peter answers Jesus.
Peter: You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
Jesus: Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah!
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,
but God in heaven.
And I tell you, you are Peter,
and on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys of the kin-dom of heaven,
and whatever you bind on earth
will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth
will be loosed in heaven.’
[Look stern and wag finger at disciples, as if telling them something important.]
Storyteller: Then Jesus sternly orders the disciples
not to tell anyone that he is the Messiah.
Here ends our reading.
May God bless our hearing with understanding.
