“…you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church…”
Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. He was named as the foundation of the Church.
Peter, a fisherman, uneducated, weak, afraid, and who denied Jesus three times, was to be the leader. How many times do we ignore the opinions of those who are simple or uneducated? How many times do we question the faith of someone, whom we consider to be a sinner?
Peter, as meek and humble as he was, announced to Jesus “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” How could he come up with such a statement? Jesus says that this revelation came from God the Father.
On Pentecost, after the disciples received the Holy Spirit, this meek, humble, and uneducated man went outside, preached and converted 3,000. How was this possible?
Peter, by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, went on to be the first Pope. He united and guided the Church, as instructed by Jesus.
What about us? We have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit by virtue of our Baptism. Are we willing to express our faith to the public or do we say, “I’m afraid! or “I don’t know what to say!
When it comes to matters of the faith, education does not play a part. This is something that I constantly struggle with. I feel that I must prepare my responses in reference to matters of the Faith. I need to forget about my degrees, and concentrate on the gifts of the Holy Spirit since it is through the gifts, that will put me on the path to the heavenly Jerusalem.
Come, Holy Spirit, guide me to be like St. Peter. Amen.
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