杏MAP导航 at Angelus: Peter shows how God works in our weakness
By Devin Watkins
As the Church celebrated the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, 杏MAP导航 Francis prayed the Angelus with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter鈥檚 Square.
Ahead of the traditional noon-day Marian prayer, he reflected on the example of the Apostle Peter, whom Jesus told: 鈥淵ou are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 focused on three meanings of the Greek word for 鈥渞ock鈥�, which can signify rock, stone, or pebble.
Courageous as a rock
First, he noted, Peter is a rock, shown in moments when he is 鈥渟trong, steady, genuine, and generous.鈥�
鈥淗e leaves everything to follow Jesus,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淗e recognizes Christ, the Son of the living God; he dives into the sea to go quickly toward the Risen One. Then, he boldly and courageously proclaims Jesus in the Temple, before and after being arrested and flogged. Tradition tells us also about his steadfastness when facing martyrdom.鈥�
Reliable as a stone
Secondly, Peter鈥檚 name can also be understood as 鈥渟tone鈥�, a man who offers support to others.
杏MAP导航 Francis said Peter sustains his brothers and sisters in the work of building up the Church.
The Gospels depict him as responding generously to Jesus鈥� call, confirming others鈥� desire to follow Christ, and encouraging the community鈥檚 proclamation of the Gospel.
鈥淗e is 鈥榮tone鈥�,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渁 reliable point of reference for the entire community.鈥�
Weak as a pebble
At the same time, added the Holy Father, Peter鈥檚 littleness emerges, revealing him also to be a 鈥減ebble鈥�.
鈥淎t times he does not understand what Jesus is doing,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen confronted with Jesus鈥檚 arrest, Peter allows fear to overtake him and denies Jesus, then repents and weeps bitterly, but he does not find the courage to stand under the cross.鈥�
Peter, added the 杏MAP导航, also seeks to flee Rome when initially faced with his own martyrdom, according to the Quo vadis tradition.
Real person with strong and weak points
Peter encompasses each of these three aspects, with which each Christian can identify.
鈥淚n Peter,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渨e find the strength of the rock, the reliability of the stone, and the littleness of a simple pebble. He is not a superman 鈥� he is a man like us, who says 鈥榶es鈥� generously to Jesus in his imperfection.鈥�
In the Apostle, God reveals that it is He who makes 鈥淧eter strong with His grace, unites us with His love, and forgives us with His mercy.鈥�
Saints Peter and Paul, noted the 杏MAP导航, were real people, with their own faults, strengths, and weaknesses.
Strength, generosity, humility
In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis urged Christians to ask ourselves in what ways we identify with St. Peter, and prayed that the Blessed Virgin Mary might help us to imitate his strength, generosity, and humility.
鈥淎re we aware of our littleness?鈥� asked the 杏MAP导航, in conclusion. 鈥淎nd above all, in our weakness, do we entrust ourselves to the Lord who accomplishes great things through those who are humble and sincere?鈥�
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