God remains faithful to His promise : Peter's Life Example

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  :First Week: Thursday*

*Gospel : Mt 16:13-19*

*First Reading : 1 Pt 5:1-4*

*God remains faithful to His promise : Peter's Life Example*

*1) The Call of Simon*

Jesus calls Simon, while he was involved in His work 

He was fishing at the sea of Galilee. Jesus intervened and helped them to catch huge amount of fish 

Finally Jesus calls Peter and he leaves everything and follows Jesus 

*2) Peter under Training*

The call of Peter is recorded in Matthew 4:18 

Till Chapter 15 Peter is with Jesus. We can call it as the period of training 

He came to know many things about Jesus and He became a zealous follower of Jesus 

He was ready to sacrifice His life for Jesus 

*3) Simon,  you are Peter and Rock*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the greatness of Peter 

Jesus called Him as Rock and upon this rock Jesus will build his Church 

Jesus gave him the keys of the Kingdom of heaven 

Powers of the Hades will not prevail against the Church founded on Rock by Jesus 

We can see the power, importance and significance of Peter 

*4) Get behind me Satan*

Soon after the confession of Peter about Jesus, we see a quite opposite view 

Jesus calls Him, Satan. Because Peter's plans were quite opposite to Jesus' plan 

Peter who was with Jesus could not understand the plan of Jesus 

*5) Denial of Peter*

Towards the end we also witness the denial of Peter

Peter denied Jesus at crucial time and finally he was not found during the crucifixion of Jesus 

Such a close friend of Jesus could not remain with Jesus

*6) Peters intention to go back to the old trade*

After the death of Jesus, Peter might have thought that everything over 

Since there is no leader, obviously no future. So he was thinking of going back to the old trade of fishing 

Once again we see the lack of hope in the life of Peter 

*7) Peter as great Leader*

Today we celebrate the great feast of the chair of St Peter 

It indicates the power, position, importance, authority, responsibility, service, etc 

Peter became first pope, great leader and saintly person 

*8) God remained faithful*

Jesus had promised to Peter about the Rock and building His church on this Rock 

Insipte of great failures of Peter, God still remained faithful to His promise

Peter on His Part, repented for His failures 

So the message is very clear, failures don't matter as long as one has humility to accept it and willingness to Change 

We all of are like Peter while committing sin

*But are we like Peter in repenting and changing our life?*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*