Living Faith writer and author of several books, Melanie Rigney, has a new book out: 12 Unforgettable Men of the Gospels: Reflections and Portraits of the Apostles at Twenty-Third Publications. We’re happy to share an excerpt about the man who would become the first pope, St. Peter, on today’s feast day of the Dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Peter the Man
Today, we’d call Peter a man without filters. He speaks his mind freely, even to (or, perhaps, especially to) Jesus. Consider:
- After Jesus talks about the difficulty of a rich person entering heaven, Peter asks what the Twelve will get since they’ve given up everything for him.
- As Jesus walks toward the apostles’ storm-battered boat, Peter says that if it’s truly the Lord walking on the water, he should call Peter to come. Jesus does, and lo and behold, Peter can walk on water too—until he realizes he’s walking on water and begins to sink.
- Peter asks if the disciples really must forgive as many as seven times. Jesus says not seven times, but seventy-seven, implying an infinite number.
Jesus knew what was inside Peter’s heart and chastised him only occasionally.
Yet, Peter also can be almost achingly perceptive.
- Early on, Peter and Jesus are on Peter’s boat. It’s been a bad night; Peter has netted no fish. Jesus tells him to let down the nets one more time. Peter seems a little less than convinced but does so, and the nets fill to overflowing. He recognizes the import of the moment and his own inadequacy, falling at Jesus’s knees, and says, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8). Jesus tells him not to fear; going forward, Peter will be catching people.
- Only Peter answers when Jesus asks who the disciples say he is: “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16; also Mark 8:29 and Luke 9:20).
Peter’s filters are most painfully lacking at the Last Supper and in the following hours. First, he doesn’t want Jesus to wash his feet; Jesus says Peter will have “no share” with him in that case. Peter then overcompensates, saying Jesus should also wash his hands and head. A bit later, Jesus says Peter will deny him three times in the next few hours. Peter vigorously disputes this according to all four Gospels, then proceeds to do just that.
But he still doesn’t understand, not exactly, until he organizes a fishing expedition with six other apostles. They’ve been out all night and caught nothing. They don’t recognize the risen Jesus when he calls to them from the beach and tells them to cast out once more. The nets are heavy with their catch, and the group joins Jesus on shore for breakfast.
When breakfast is finished, Jesus three times, he asks a variant of whether Peter loves him. Three times, Peter says yes. Then Jesus foretells Peter’s own martyrdom and again says, “Follow me.” And Peter does.
Yes, Peter lacked filters. But he came as he was to Jesus, and his faith and trust have inspired generations. He is us in our struggles and lack of understanding. We hope to be him in his confidence and boldness and contrition.
NEWS!!!
LISTEN to Melanie’s new podcast on Spotify: Ordinary and Remarkable. Each episode looks at an Apostle, his struggles and gifts, and how his journey can inspire us today. The first episode is: Peter, The One Who Spoke Out.
Read an earlier blog post from Melanie Rigney about her experience writing this book.