Vicar of Christ

Reflections on II Peter 1: 1-2

Like most Protestants the term 'Vicar of Christ' is emotionally offensive, when framed as "Christ's representative on earth" and occasioned by the Office of Bishop of  Rome, the Pope. It runs counter to the Protestant emphasis upon the priesthood of all believers to be sure, but that's not the rub. It just feels so arrogant and worse, often is administered as a claim to authority and power—the Body of Christ be damned.

It was Pope John Paul who forever changed my own sense of the term, removing the sting of it, if not the theological objection itself.  If I may paraphrase him. "I, John Paul am not the vicar of Christ anymore than you are.  Does not Paul say that he, Christ, "has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us" (II Corinthians 5: 19c-20a). We are all Christ's Vicar in the earth, each of us, equal in the call and gifted according to the office to which God assigns us. If we are a wife or father, and employee or employer we literally are Christ's personal vicar on earth to those God has entrusted to us.

"It is true, that as the Bishop of Rome I have an office that provides a unique responsibility and opportunity to live out this calling to Catholics world over; but it is not different than the call assigned to each Bishop or priest or mother or husband in the home or with their neighbor." 1

Now, when united to Christ's understanding of 'servant leadership,' Vicar of Christ'—as Pope John Paul defined and lived it—is a gracious gifting. It should not surprise us then as to Peter's presentation of himself. "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ," in other words, a Vicar of Christ.

Humility was not Peter's default setting. He was always found in the center of every good and bad moment, the one stepping out, leading or declaring, as on the night of his betrayal. “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet” (John 13: 8 NIV).  Peter was emphatic because he was embarrassed.  

As one of two hosts for the evening Passover meal—the other being John—Peter should have knelt, bowed and washed the feet of the other ten disciples and most certainly Jesus. I can imagine he and John had talked about it, perhaps arguing over which one of them would take on that task, while the other greeted and directed and entertained. "John, you know I would love to show my devotion, but honestly, Jesus chose you and me for this honor and I think we should lean into our gifts. Afterall who yells at the fish, cajoling them to almost jump in the boat when we fish!?"

Peter laughs and John just shakes his head at the sarcasm and relents, ready to take on the task, when suddenly, the others burst into the room subdued, silent, moody; especially at John and his brother James. John glances at James who signals his brother to lay low. Peter—noticing the same—prepares to use humor and the presence of his being to set a renewal in tone as Phillip, whose mood was less subdued, approaches the table, hesitating; knowing he shouldn't just take a seat at this sacred moment. "So, tell me Peter, John and James," Phillip blurts out, sarcasm flowing, "...or should I say, Your Majesties, tell us where have you seated us lowly servants. I'm guessing you, John and James are on Jesus left and right." Peter's gracious spirit collapses like the embers of a fire crackling and snapping, its timber shredded in the glow of hot dust. "Well, if you must know Philip, the seating arrangement was made by the Master." Jesus, who stopped to greet his aunt and cousin finally entered. Not noticing and looking around for the guest of honor, Peter snaps his finger and continues. "Judas, please come and take the place of honor to Jesus left.2 And John, come and be seated at Jesus right."  

As Peter continues with the others, leaving Phillip to the very last and farthest from the Master, he smiles at his own genius and finally allows Phillip to sink into his own seat. 

Just then Peter realizes that while he pontificated, Jesus had quietly taken the bowl from John, still unused, and "poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him," washing each of the disciples feet, one by one, transforming the moment into a quiet lesson on the humility of a servant. After serving Judas and then John, the two honored by their proximity to their Master together with Nathaniel, Simon the Zealot and Matthew, Jesus sets his basin down and looks up at Peter, signaling him to take his own seat next to John, adding, "Peter, please come and allow me the honor," to which Peter puts up his hand in denial and protests, "No, you shall never wash my feet.”  To which Jesus, gently smiling, responds. "Simon, unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” "Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Laughing out loud Jesus rejoined, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean." “...When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” (Above para in italics: John 13: 5, 8-9, 10a-b, 12).

In that moment Peter did not get it. Now, imprisoned by Rome in 65 A.D. he most certainly did. Jesus last personal message when on earth filled his mind, as often it did. "when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go” (John 21: 18b). He knew his time was likely drawing to its end and once again took comfort in the knowledge that he, Peter—according to his master's prophecy—would be faithful to the very end; as he had not, so many years before. So taking quill to paper, his old, tired hands wrote down the first lines of his new letter to the scattered flock since Nero had made the Jesus followers 'escape goats' (Hebrews 13: 11-16). throughout his territories.

Simon Peter,

a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ...

(II Peter 1: 1 NIV)

After writing 'Simon Peter'—Peter stops for a moment remembering what Jesus said to him after he, Peter, had protested against Jesus prediction that all the disciples would fall away.  ' "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” '  (Luke 22: 31b-32a NIV). 'From that moment on,' Peter reflected,'I was increasingly more Peter than Simon, to be sure'. Peter, meaning rock, is how others saw him and whom he aspired to be with Christ's strength. Even so, his given name was often used by Jesus when he had failed to 'be' the rock. 

'Reverence'

Peter lifts his quill and continues—a servant and apostle...—Rooted in that same evening was the lesson learned and relearned again and again, he, Simon and Peter had never been more than a servant nor less that an Apostle. Both/and. 

Over the years I have increasingly felt the noun 'reverence' was at the very center of the kind of Kingdom Jesus introduces to each of us. It is a quality of ''the sacred,' a root meaning of 'the Holy'. It is love that refuses to be set aside or compel and therefore lives in a creative tension in-between pacificism and power, self-flagellation and self-promotion. Reverence is open, non-defensive, allowing others to hold very different points of view without canceling. This quality sees the Creator in everything, everyone and so lives a life of devotion toward all that the Creator has touched. 

Thus, Simon ever embraced both Peter's strengths and Simon's unique challenges. He lived an  Apostle in office, a servant in his relations. Hence he would write:

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ

have received a faith as precious as ours:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance

through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

(II Peter 1: 2b-3)

If only every Bishop of Rome had discovered 'reverence's place'. If only every Vicar of Christ, you and me, would live it out and into the areas of our calling.

Blessings!  Terry :)

Legend: Quoted Biblical words are in light green, with Biblical conversation quotes in italics.

1 The words I've paraphrased are not Pope John Paul's but do accurately convey his answer to the question: Are you the Vicar of Christ? It is a powerful book of questions addressed to the Pope and his responses. I highly recommend it.

2 In Jewish culture, the highest place of honor is immediately to the left of the host, the honor on this night, given to Judas Iscariot.