Who is Peter Waldo?

Well in the spirit of some of our recent explorations into our Reformed and Protestant traditions, for some reason Peter Waldo came to mind.

I think some of the richness of our faith is lost when we lose touch with how we got to where we are. One way to understand who we are and why we do and believe some of the things we do, is if we delve into the history of the wider Christian journey.

In light of the lectionary passages this week from the Old Testament, the Psalms, and the New Testament, I think there’s some lessons for us to consider today that correspond with the life of Peter Waldo. This is the life of a 12th-century leader, a wealthy merchant from Lyon, France, whose story is far from ordinary. There is a statue of Peter Waldo, part of a larger Martin Luther Monument in Worms, Germany, that has a number of key figures of the Reformation displayed. An interesting fact about Peter Waldo is that he lived close to 400 years before the Reformation.

Waldo's life transformation to ministry was triggered by a mix of a minstrel's song, a verse from Matthew's gospel and the sudden death of a friend. These events challenged him to reconsider his opulent lifestyle and sent him on a quest for something more. But Waldo is just one of many who in part paved the way for scripture to be in the hands of every person, he is considered by many to be one of the proto-protestants.

We can only provide a brief outline of Peter Waldo’s journey, but I hope that this outline, coupled with our lectionary readings, will raise some considerations that might challenge us today. 

Our lectionary readings this week are Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, I probably could have added the gospel reading but maybe we’re not quite ready for 2 hour services. If you’re able, take some time to meditate on these passages, and may God’s word be a lamp for our feet and a light on our paths (Psalm 119:105).

Blessings

Josh