Saint Peter
CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – Imagine how surprised people in Jesus’ day must have been to see Simon Peter emerge as an early leader of the Church.
“Weren’t you the person who said… three times… that you don’t know him?”
“Weren’t you the one He rebuked when you drew your sword when he was being arrested?”
“Weren’t you the one who ran off from your home in Galilee because of your tax debts?”
When someone makes the claims that Peter was making, surely people asked “who is this guy?” And Peter’s credentials were underwhelming. He’d certainly seen things while he was at Christ’s side, but was he reliable? What were the chances of someone listening to him, believing him, and leaving their old faith behind to become a new, early Christian?
And yet, the two greatest champions of the early faith are the evangelist Paul and the apostle Peter.
Peter would travel to Rome, establish a Christian church there, and plant Christ’s flag at the crossroads of the ancient world. No Peter? No Christianity as we know it today.
Two things to remember about Peter. First, he knew that he was forgiven. Jesus himself reinstated him during the post-crucifixion breakfast on the shore. “Feed my lambs,” was the final instruction Peter received from Jesus. Second, Peter heard Jesus say, “the rock that the builders rejected shall become the cornerstone.” Peter could not have known that Jesus was referring to him. He would understand later that he was the rock upon which the early Church would be built.
What are the lessons for us? Our mistakes and shortcomings aren’t permanent. Forgiveness is the essence of our faith. And who we were yesterday has very little to do with who we’ll be in the future. As it was for Peter, it is for you and me.
Chris Conley
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