“…you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church” Let’s be honest, at first glance, Peter seems a bit shaky to be the one to lead Christ’s Church. Peter stumbled, fell, and he denied – and for good measure, denied a few more times. Peter did not always “get it;” he struggled to understand. And even when he did understand, there was often a slight hesitation— unsure what to do, some fear that he would get it wrong. A lot like you and me. “…you are John or Jane, Jack or Jill, and upon you I will build my family, my company, my hopes and dreams, ”

And then people made demands upon us and tasked us spiritually, emotionally, physically. Peter was someone who knew fatigue, knew failure, and reached that place where just like us he thought to himself: “give me a break; just give me an hour to myself…..” In those moments we do not feel like anyone’s “rock.”

For me, its 9:45 at night. I am in bed actually convinced I will read a whole chapter of a book. Two minutes later I am dead asleep. At 10:20, the emergency phone rings, the adrenalin courses through my body and I am startled wide awake, “Sacred Heart – may I help you” …. The long pause and then I hear “I know this isn’t an emergency, but I couldn’t find anyone in the office to answer, but is your gift store open tomorrow?” Seriously… Of all the various and possible responses, I just said “yes, it will be.” I can only hope it was pleasant response. Now I can read that chapter – I am wide awake. It’s 11:20 pm the adrenalin finally dissipates. At 3:30 I am on the way to Tampa General for a real emergency…. “give me a break; just give me an hour to myself…..” Those are the moments when doubt can find an easy way into your soul. You don’t much feel like anyone’s rock. What can be built upon me?

Lest you think this is a story about life as a parish priest, it is much more than that. It is a tale of moms and dads that we all depend upon – the people in our life who are our rocks, always there for us. The emergency responders, the night shift at the emergency room, the one on the other end of the phone we expect to be there. All those people upon whom we call, who inwardly are saying, “give me a break; just give me an hour to myself…..”   The people upon whom we make demands spiritually, emotionally, physically. Our rocks

Peter gives us hope. We like Peter because it is comforting to see ourselves in Peter. To see in his failures and falling down, an echo of our own lives. After all, if Peter could finally “get it”, so can we. If Peter could stumble through his own difficult journey of faith – then, maybe, just maybe we can make it, too. Maybe we can take a deep breath, dust ourselves off – maybe it will work itself out.

Peter’s endearing cluelessness is often reassuring— encouraging— even heartwarming but I wonder if that image ultimately serves us well, or even truly reflects the Rock, the anchor, on which Jesus so clearly relied.

Peter may have stumbled at times, but he was also bold, daring, honest, filled with zeal and completely dedicated to our Lord.

• He put down his nets without hesitation to follow a man he didn’t know into a future he couldn’t see.
• He left everything he loved, trusting that his father, his wife, his children, his business, would be safe, even if he was not.
• He set out into the deep, knowing that whatever he needed would be taught to him. And if those lessons came at a terrible price, well, then, he would simply have to pay.
• When Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter was the one who answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And later when Jesus asked the Twelve if they, too, are going to leave him, Peter’s answer came immediately: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life.”
• It was Peter who preached to all the people in Jerusalem on Pentecost and then opened up the door of the early church to include of Gentiles.
• Imprisoned, chained, abused and eventually martyred for his faith— Simon Peter lived up to his nickname, becoming a Rock for all who came behind him.

It is easy, maybe a little comforting to see ourselves in Peter. In fact, it’s hard not to, since his challenges and trials are like a mirror held up to our own lives.

But equally, his triumphs should echo in our lives as well.

• We may stumble with Peter, but we should also join him in boldness and zeal.
• We may occasionally deny Christ, but we should also stand firm in the face of persecution.
• We may sometimes misunderstand, but we should be willing to cast our nets into the deep, and take our chances on faith, even when the future seems unclear.

His life shouldn’t confirm us in our weakness, but rather inspire us to seek greatness. If we are listening, Peter’s story can teach us to be loyal, to be brave, to be filled with the power of faith and hope.

…it’s 4:30 in the morning I am on my way back from Tampa General – a little rumpled, probably should have combed my hair and shaved – but it is OK. You know – the phone rings, I go filled with faith and hope. We may not think of ourselves as much of a rock upon which to build anything, but our gospel reminds us that Jesus is the master builder— able to see each living stone, each rock and add it into the house that He himself is building. We are but one living stone in the One House.