My daughter recently said to me, “I am Peter! We are all Peter!” after learning more about “The Rock” upon which His Church is built.
When we learn about Peter, we discover that he was probably one of the most up and down, back and forth humans with many weaknesses, faults and shortcomings. He was boisterous and cursed. He drank and shouted. He faltered when walking across the water as Our Lord stood before him beckoning. He denied Jesus even after he was told he would do so. Not once, but three times.
Yet he was the one who declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of God” when Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?”
Peter was chosen not in spite of his humanity, but because of it.
Our Lord built His Church upon Peter and gave him the keys to the Kingdom because of Peter’s great love and faith. He did so, because He wanted us to see Peter’s human need of forgiveness and his trust in its eternal offering. Peter knew that Jesus understood and loved him despite what he said and did, that He forgave him even before he stumbled and fell.
All those who can say, “I am Peter!” have discovered the wellspring of forgiveness pouring forth from the wounds in Christ’s side, from His hands and feet, from the Crown of Thorns on His head. We are washed clean and reborn with every heartfelt sorry we whisper in frustration, despair and longing.
Now rise to your feet and try again.
Peter understood so well the many ways we fail as humans, but he envisioned like no other the magnificent redemption of Christ’s forgiveness. He is the Rock and holds the Keys, but he holds them ready for our entrance into the Kingdom.
Not in death, but in life.
Because when you rise to your feet and try again, you also believe in His forgiveness and the Kingdom begins right now, with you.
The Kingdom is life and living, not death and burial.
We do not have to wait for the door to open. It is eternally open to those who walk in its direction.
The road is rough and filled with obstacles. It contains trials and tribulations. It demands faith and strength and courage, but we do not walk alone. We walk with Him and one another.
Walk with Peter’s encouragement, the one who holds out the keys to the Kingdom, the one stumbled and fell in pursuit of his Lord; the one who fully understood the depth of Christ’s love and forgiveness, compassion and mercy.
We are all Peter.