4-Jan-17

Gospel JN 1:35-42
John was standing with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God."
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
"What are you looking for?"
They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher),
"where are you staying?"
He said to them, "Come, and you will see."
So they went and saw where he was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.
It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
"We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ.
Then he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said,
"You are Simon the son of John;
you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.
Reflection:
Today's gospel of John, along with the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, each tell of Jesus giving Simon the name "Cephas" or Peter, which means "Rock."
Jesus saw something in Peter that told Him that he would be a strong foundation, as "solid as a rock."
Jesus' foresight proved true.
Peter was the first disciple to recognize and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah:
"He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah." (Mark 8:39)
Upon seeing someone who appeared to be Jesus walking on water,
Peter said,
"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus." (Matthew 14:28-29)
Once he was walking on the water, Peter became frightened by the storm and began to sink. In his fear, Peter's first instinct was to turn to Jesus.
He cried out, "Lord, save me!”
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him,
"You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:30-31)
Peter's faith in Jesus allowed him to walk on water but his fear of the natural world caused him to sink.
Peter was saved because in his fear he reached out to Jesus.
Both Peter's example of faith and his turning to Jesus in his fear resulted in the other apostles recognizing Jesus as the Messiah:
"And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:32)
Was Peter impetuous? Yes!
Did Peter doubt? Yes!
Was Peter fearful? Yes!
Did Peter inspire others to believe in Christ? Yes!
Was Peter imperfect like you and me? Absolutely!
Jesus Christ is not looking for perfect people.
Jesus is looking for those who believe that He is the Son of God and for those who, because of their faith and in spite of their fear, are willing to put their trust in Him.
"I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone." - - Thomas Merton