St. Peter

A while ago I wrote to a wonderful and holy priest (a hand written letter of several pages, no less). I wrote about a number of topics but what prompted me to write the letter was his harshness toward St. Peter. Many people have focused on St. Peter's denial of Jesus before Jesus was crucified, and yes of course that is an important event and Biblical lesson. However, it is far from being the defining moment of St. Peter's life. People also tend to talk more about St. Paul, not only because of the volume of his writing, so that those who read are better versed in his thoughts and teaching, but because non-Catholics ignore what is the defining moment of St. Peter's life, second only to his following Jesus, which is to be the first Pope.

Because there is not a written activity report for St. Peter's time in Rome as the first Pope, before he was martyred, people have to use their imagination a little bit to fully appreciate what Peter has wrought for the world. Before I help in this exercise I want to also remind people of another important point. When the apostles were called by Jesus, they really were "average Joes." They had great character, but proximity to Jesus did not make them the sanctified holy power houses that they would become after Jesus resurrected and ascended to heaven. People sometimes think that being around Jesus "rubbed off" on the Apostles, but it did not. Of course it would not, but that is the blurry thinking many have today. So Peter was a man of great character and strength, as were the other Apostles and disciples, but he was "just a man" until he received the Holy Spirit in Pentecost. Therefore it is not surprising and Jesus was not wounded to the heart by Peter's denial. Peter and the others had already shown much bravery as the Apostles to Jesus, often going where the hierarchy was planning their harm and downfall. This was what I corrected the priest about.

Once the Holy Spirit descended, however, the Apostles, disciples, and Mary were no longer "average Joes." Mary of course was never an average Joe, being full of grace and the Mother of Jesus. I mention her to remind people that she was there at Pentecost and received the Holy Spirit in the same way as the others (and remember, she received the Holy Spirit when she conceived Jesus). Once the Holy Spirit descended on Peter and the others, they were literally infused with the grace, fortitude and knowledge of the Holy Spirit. It was then that they were able to not just speak in tongues on that day, which fascinates so many people, but more importantly, they performed MIRACLES of physical and mental healing, just as Jesus had done. They had not performed miracles just by virtue of hanging around with Jesus and it rubbing off on them. The Holy Spirit from God alone is the only way to receive such ability. From Pentecost onward the receivers of the Holy Spirit were able to perform miracles and had the fortitude and strength to become tireless orators and evangelizers and eventually, as many did, become martyrs for the faith.

So you must remember that it was a different Peter who went to Rome and became the first Pope at the instruction of Jesus Christ. This was a Peter who not only witnessed to Jesus during his life, after his death and resurrection, but one who had received first hand at the behest of Jesus the Holy Spirit from God himself.

Now think of Rome at the time. Peter goes to Rome, the pagan heartland that had authorized the very arrest and killing of Jesus. Does that sound like someone who should be remembered for doing what pretty much any person alive today would do, despite what folks like to think? Peter denied Jesus, but he followed closely and did not abandon him in his faith. Most people today abandon Jesus in their heads and hearts, and don't even need to be worried for their very lives. So the character of the Apostles and especially Peter should not be impugned in the course of discussing the legitimate weakness of his denial.

More so people should recall that he was the first Pope in the heartland of the pagan empire that went along with the killing of Jesus, and which was ruled by madmen. (Too much lead in the water plus of course a pagan worshipping mentality). He parked himself there in Rome, became the Bishop of Rome, the first Pope, and was the Pope for decades, from the time that the resurrected Jesus "gave him the keys" until his death. Throughout Catholic Church history he became known as the longest reigned Pope no less. While there are no written records of his day to day activity it does not take a lot of brains to understand that he was, along with St. Paul, one of the greatest men of the world. Another cool thing to remember is that Peter decided on his own where to place the Papacy. Jesus did not tell him to go to Rome, to go the the "center of the world" at that time, the very pagan heartland. The Papacy traveled with Peter it was Peter in total. When Peter was in Antioch, that was where the Papacy was. It was Peter's decision, guided by the Holy Spirit, that took him to Rome and where he laid the first step in Christianizing the very place that seemed the least likely and the most dangerous of all. How remarkable a man he was! And there his bones still lie in rest where Pope Benedict XVI is sanctifying cardinals, even as we speak.

What I don't understand is why this is not more realized by Catholics as part of their God given heritage to be proud of, in the most positive sense of the word. Part of this is the falling away and poor formation of young Catholics. And the other part is that Protestant and non-denominational churches, by their splitting away from their root true Church have also thrown away much of what they should be most proud of in the first place. St. Peter is THE model of the man who was chosen by Jesus, followed him, learned from him, never left his belief even as he denied, even during the three days when Jesus had died, and then when Jesus returned, followed every word and instruction that Jesus gave him to the end of his life as a martyr... and, incidentally, the first Pope.