THE LEADERSHIP OF PETER!
Solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul, Apostles
My dear encountered couples:
When Jesus asked his disciples who people thought he was, he received the answers expected from those always looking for the deceased to be reincarnated. Some thought he was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Then when he asked the disciples who they thought he was, Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Messiah.” It was then that Jesus founded his Church on Peter and entrusted to him its leadership. Why Peter?
The answer is probably to be found in our gospel passage where Jesus says, “Blessed are you, Simon son of John! No mere man has revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.”
Peter was open enough to God the Father to receive the revelation that Jesus was the Messiah. Only someone whose mind was tuned in to the things God wanted to say could be head of the Church. Peter apparently qualified for this position. He wasn’t necessarily the smartest, nor the most in control of his own emotions and actions. He was a channel through whom God could come, to direct, guide, and reveal what people needed in order to reach their heavenly home.
There are so many people saying things to us through all sorts of means. The radio, television, and printed material give us the opinions and advice of just about anyone who has something to say — of even many who have nothing to say.
We, like Peter, we need to hear what God says. Learn to listen to him. Blessed and so much better off are you when you are taught not by mere men and women, but by your heavenly Father.
