Galatians 2. While Acts paints a picture of Paul and the apostles in relative harmony, Paul's own letters, especially Galatians, suggest that his relationship with the twelve was strained at best. His encounter with Peter, in Galatians 2, probably did not help matters; it is hard to imagine Peter and Paul as 'pals' shooting pool and going to Cowboy games together!
In this exchange Paul, it seems to me, accuses Peter of forgetting who he is: he has been freed by Jesus but wants to go back to Egypt, to the slavery of the law. (I would be interested to hear Peter's take on this exchange but, unfortunately, we don't have that.) It is easy to forget who we are; it is easy to forget the water of our baptism, God calling our name, setting us free. It is easy to fall back into old patterns. No matter how far we think we have come along the road of freedom and transformation, sometimes all it takes is a trip back to a family reunion to make us realize how powerful the old behavior patterns are! Often we snap right back to our old roles without thinking. Perhaps if I focus on today--rembering today who I am--it will be enough. RS
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