St. Peter: Get Back Up Again and Again
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Peter… addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.” (Mt 16:16, Acts 15:7)
The Fathers’ Union lead us to celebrate the feast of St Peter the Apostle. We thank God for big remnant of men who still confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and are committed to family life as a noble God-given responsibility. Many homes are led by women, churches are filled more by women, children cared for more by mothers, and even the marketplace is seeing the rise of women in both numbers and eminence. The problem is not the rise of the women, but rather the decline of the men – abandoning homes and leadership and wasting away in addictions and bad company! The good news is that there is still much hope, and the many men that still hold and lead on can motivate others to rise and take back their place.
Simon Peter is always listed first in every list of the apostles; it was Peter who opened the door of the gospel to Israel on the day of Pentecost, and to the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius (Acts 2:38-42, 10:34-46). He also gave the first significant address in the Jerusalem Council Meeting of Acts 15, that led softened the ground for Gentiles to come to the faith in Jesus Christ. These and many more achievements were not without setbacks.
Simon Peter is a good picture of a real man – in leadership and getting back up again and again after some serious failures. Peter made an important and ever-memorable revelation of the Messiah in answer to Jesus’ question, ‘Who do you say I am?’ But shortly after this crutial confession, he faultered and was rebuked by his Master in the sharp words, ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ After the arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane, Peter rose up to fight physically by cutting off someone’s ear with a sword; but Jesus rebuked him and restored order. After Jesus’ death (and resurrection), Peter led his friends to go back fishing, but Jesus found them and restored Peter to the apostleship. He fell many times, but got back up again and again.
The leadership of the fathers is needed today as we face crisis times that require strength and resolve to keep moving, to care for family, to keep in fellowship with others without congregating. We also have development agenda that call for our wise attention and consideration both here at the local church as well as at Provincial level. The discipline of giving generously must continue as our faithful stewardship of what God has provided. In celebrating the ministry and legacy of St. Peter, today’s message is to encourage every man to consider getting back up again to that place from which you have fallen. God bless you all.