File 166 2017
The Tranformation of St. Peter Canon Graeme Winterton at Holy Trinity Kew - Epiphany 1 - 8th. January 2017
New Testament Lesson: Acts 10 34 -43 The St. Peter & The Gentiles
1. From time to time we are faced with some frightful human tragedy. The newshounds seek to outdo each other and the so called “human story” is attempted. The mother is a favourite target, perhaps another relative or close friend, a neighbour if the family are unavailable. Inevitably someone will say “He was always such a good boy” or “She was such a nice girl.” Occasionally you may hear someone who is brave enough to tell the truth and say what they thought of the person- but such a statement is usually fairly rare. What would people say If asked to comment upon your character? Our existence and meaning is not only important to ourselves - It is important to others as well. Our lives impact others. Who and what I am affects other people. It affects their happiness and well being and ultimately affects their responses attitudes, behaviour and character. I will never forget a small kelpie labrador cross a friend of mine had. It was the most vicious animal I have ever seen. Describe: Atttack a shovel . Allan told me how he found it penned by itself half starved, abused, neglected He tried to coax it for weeks. Eventually went in to the pen and opened the door and said ‘get!” let it out. scuttled down the road, stopped, looked at him, came back and licked his hand and became a faithful one man dog. • The behaviour and character of Alan’s dog was deeply influenced by two major forces – Negative abuse and caring love. • In the same way, our behaviour and character also impacts the life of all with whom we live! No one can live without affecting the lives of others ln a NEGATIVE or POSITIVE way - for evil or for good. 2. We all know people who have a profound influence upon the lives of others. • School days- Memory will recall the bully and the hero who were feared or followed. All parents have to contend with : “ but Mum everybody is wearing them. But dad, I will be the ONLY one who isn’t allowed to go!” Have you taken into account the influence you have upon the lives of other people?What is the nature of the impact you make at: • Home • Work •Wider Community • Church ? THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL INFLUENCE
3. We see the force of personal influence very clearly in the life of St. Peter. He touched the lives of others and exerted a powerful influence because of the kind of person he was, and later, even more powerful in the kind of person he became. Peter’s behaviour and attitudes are so like ours. He is such a very ‘Human’ man. He touched the lives of others and exerted a powerful influence because of the kind of person he was and later, even more powerfully in the kind of person he became. Peter encourages us to persevere and to expect that Christ will make sure that the outcome of events in our lives will be the best for us and fulfil God’s plan and purposes — even if we don’t like it, choose it, expect it or even try to manipulate circumstances to fit our own preferences. Peter would say - Hang in there - the Lord knows his business and it will be okay. The Tranformation of St. Peter
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