These next few verses of sacred scripture tells the story of Peter's fall. This was a painful time for St. Peter who may not look so saintly at the moment. Being a saint does not mean one is perfect for only our Lord Jesus is perfect. What saint in the making and sainthood does reveal is that their are some of us who when faced with failure have learned to trust God through it. Like Peter their are many who have allowed the Lord to lift them up and restore them to His service. St. Augustine was a young man who had an appetite for worldly delights but through the prayers of his mother Monica he was restored and resurrected from his worldly ways and became one of the greatest teachers of the Church. It is a terrible mistake to deny the Lord but not a mistake that cannot be learned from.
Jesus and His disciples had just come from the last supper scene. The fulfillment of the Passover and the beginning of the New Covenant Communion is being set in motion and Jesus the Messiah is prophetically leading the way. Jesus speaks of His betrayal and death. The mob comes with Judas Iscariot leading the way, once a familiar friend and now an accuser, and betrayer. And now here comes Peter another fallen comrade denying the Lord. I wonder how Jesus must have felt? This speaks volumes to us about our own weaknesses and shortcomings. We too are weak and when left to ourselves we too can fall. It is no wonder that Solomon a man of many vices and weaknesses would have something to say about this. Solomon says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil." (Prov.3:5-7) According to Peter's writings and many other accounts written in sacred scripture it is imperative that we maintain a watchful posture always gazing into the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what preserves us from the evil that lurks about and resides within. Peter was a great man among great men, strong in conviction, and one who had great faith. Yet like many of us weak and at times full of his own desires and will. We know that Jesus loved Peter and respected his convictions for God. Peter was in the inner circle of Jesus' closest disciples Peter, James, and John. Perhaps this is why Satan sought to sift him as wheat. Peter would be fiercely attacked and tempted by Satan and his emissaries.
Peter was warned of this by Jesus as is recorded in Luke's gospel account 22:30-35. Perhaps like many Peter was too confident, maybe even prideful to the point where he began to doubt the words of Jesus. Many of us when we are left to ourselves give too much place to our own thoughts the media, Hollywood stars, and not only human stars but the stars in the sky as if they could direct our lives. Peter was overcome by the fear of man and what man could do to him. Matthew 10:28 records the words of Jesus on this matter of fearing man and it is quite insightful and often misunderstood. Jesus says, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." This reference is not to Satan, as many would interpret, but to God alone who has power to destroy both soul and body in hell. What brought Peter back to restoration is recorded in Luke 22:61-62. "Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he said to him, "Before the cock crows today. you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly." Two things we can learn from Peter is that it is necessary to maintain a consistent pattern of relying upon God's word and to respond to His word with humility. It was remembering the words of Jesus that ignited the penitent heart of Peter, and it is recorded that Peter wept. Peter had remembered the words of Jesus and he allowed those words to convict him to repentance and remorse, and this was his road back to His Savior and could also be our road back to Him as well.
His servants and yours,
Gerard & Yolanda Cleffi Directors
Oratory of Divine Love
Peter's rash generosity does not protect him, however, from the risks connected with human weakness. Moreover, it is what we too can recognize in our own lives. Peter followed Jesus with enthusiasm; he overcame the trial of faith, abandoning himself to Christ. The moment comes, however, when he gives in to fear and falls; he betrays the Master. The school of faith is not a triumphal march but a journey marked daily by suffering and love, trials and faithfulness.
Pope Benedict XVI, The Apostles, Huntington, Indiana, Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Pg.52
Lord, Heavenly Father, enlighten our minds to see clearly that we are all brothers and sisters in You. Make us more sensitive to each other's pains and needs and more aware that wherever suffering exists at home or far-off countries we cannot be indifferent. Increase our faith and enable us to touch each other's lives with understanding and hope. Amen
Terence Cardinal Cook, Prayers for Today, Staten Island, NY, Alba House, Pg. 175