Different Faces of Peter
Introduction
· The bible passages are not just incidents but have a meaning for today. It is just a ‘sign’ that has relevance in our day to day life.
· Story – in a fire mishap in a multistory building – the small child was caught in the second floor – father told him when he appeared on the sunshade – jump – with hesitance he jumped – escaped with minor injuries – later he reflected – from where he got the courage to jump – faith and confidence in the words of the father and thoughts about the life threatening situation.
Content
· In today’s gospel we see different faces of Peter
1. Recognizing Peter
o Peter recognized that it was Jesus, not the ‘ghost’.
o Jesus appears when and where we least expect him.
o In the first reading, Elijah expected “powerful” God in the storm, earthquake, and fire. But God spoke to him from the breeze, in the silence where Elijah never expected.
o In our daily life God may appear in the form of friends, a piece of advice, a book, a homily, or even in the form of an enemy. Let us have the eyes of faith to recognize Him.
2. Courageous and venturing Peter
o He was focused on Jesus and the words of Jesus “do not be afraid”. It gave him strength.
o Jesus is the strength and refuge of all of us.
3. Fearful Peter
o When he looked at the waves, storm, and other disturbing realities around him he lost his focus on Jesus. He became over worried and anxious. He forgot Jesus for a moment. Then he began to ‘sink’ in the water.
o In our life when we become over worried about the problems we forget Jesus and begin to ‘sink’ in the problem.
o The deeper we ‘sink’ the more we forget Jesus. That is the nature of the worldly anxieties and worries.
o The problems can be those arise out of our relationships, workplace, class rooms, my weakness, etc.
4. Re-orienting Peter
o Peter, realizing that he is sinking, re-oriented himself to Jesus.
o The prayer came from within “save me, Lord”
o God gives us chances to re-orient towards him. Through the sacraments and spiritual exercises we can re-orient towards Him once again.
5. Peter in the safe hands
o When Jesus heard the prayer, he stretched out His hand and peter was saved.
o The love of Jesus towards us is so great.
o Peter must have caught Jesus hand strongly since he was at the point of death.
o During our difficult times, at the stage of ‘sinking’ let us cry to God and catch his hand. He is beyond all the problems and he will save us
Conclusion
· No human being in this world is without tension and worries, problems and difficulties.
· Our greatest consolation is Jesus is with us, the loving God, to help us by stretching His hand.
· Let us catch hold of His hand.
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