Peter's Example

Simon Bar Jonah or Peter was a fisherman by profession. He was called by Jesus together with his brother, Andrew to become “fishers of people” and left immediately their nets to follow Jesus (Mark 1: 16-18).  Indeed, Peter was chosen as Jesus’ companion and called to proclaim the good news. Jesus gained confidence in Peter as Jesus entrusted to Peter the Church. Despite the weaknesses and frailties of this man, these did not give any doubts to Jesus to call and choose Peter.

Talking about Peter’s weaknesses as shown in his fears, doubt sand anxieties; the Gospel of Matthew as Jesus walks on the water (Mt. 14: 22-33) shows the character of Peter that would somehow shed light on my own personality.

As the disciples were terrified of seeing somebody walking on the water, Jesus told them, “take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter was the first one to answer by saying, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” This shows the desire of Peter to be with Jesus, to be close with Jesus. Despite Peter’s fears on that frightening situation he dared to ask Jesus. And Jesus said, “Come!” And Peter did that as Jesus told him to come. It was an invitation. Although, Peter was terrified but he did walk on the water forwarding towards Jesus as Jesus told him. Yet, as Peter was walking on the water he began to sink as he was frightened by the strong wind. He was frightened and he doubted more of himself, not of Jesus. But even he doubted himself he never forgot his confidence in Jesus, and that made Peter to call out Jesus, “Lord save me!” And Jesus immediately reached and caught Peter and said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

“Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” This shows the desire of Peter to be with Jesus, to be close with Jesus. Despite Peter’s fears on that frightening situation he dared to ask Jesus. And Jesus said, “Come!”

Somehow I find myself in Peter’s sandals. I have the desire to follow Jesus, to walk closely with him. Peter though was a fisherman was afraid of the deep sea and of the strong wind. But he dared to ask Jesus and Peter came towards Jesus. It was a risk for Peter. And I find myself in this. I did take risks to be at the sea and to walk towards Jesus despite my fear. Nevertheless, like Peter again, I doubted myself if I could handle the storms in my life. And losing my focus on Jesus but to the storms of life, I had moments of sinking which I was more terrified as I doubted myself. Yet, one thing that saved me is my confidence in Jesus to save me. Perhaps, Jesus would also say the same words to me as he did to Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” And why did I doubt? I doubted myself because at first I thought I was alone. I thought I was not worthy at all to be with Jesus. I was afraid because I was out from the comfort of the boat. But, at those moments also, I remembered I have a God who is with me. I have a God who has more confidence in me and a God who calls and invites me to come. And indeed, God saves me as Jesus saved Peter for Jesus is always ready to reach out and catch me.

And surely, I am always reminded of Peter, the man who after witnessing a miraculous catch fell down on his knees and said to Jesus, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man! (Lk. 5:8)” But Jesus was very confident of Peter. Jesus even said to Peter, “Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching people. (Lk. 5:10)” and that made Peter to say YES for he left everything and followed Jesus. Undeniably, I find myself unworthy but Jesus sees beyond what I see in myself. I am not confident to myself but Jesus is far more confident in me. I am always fearful but Jesus assures me, “It is I, do not be afraid.”

          Somehow, it is an invitation for me to be more confident with God who unconditionally loves me and at the same time to be more positive looking as well to myself. I am also called to see the good things in me not just those weaknesses and frailties that I possess for the Lord God has bestowed gifts and strengths to me. Surely, these difficulties will never overwhelmed me if I would begin trusting my own capacity and the Lord’s grace upon me. In fact, in the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Jesus told, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I (Paul) will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me (2 Cor 12:9).