Ok, so if you got drawn into reading this by my reference to "The Rock", I am not talking about the wrestler. I'm talking about the apostle Peter, whose name means "rock". Peter (whose original name was Simon) was given this name by Jesus when he said he would make Peter the rock upon which he would build his church.
Peter was an interesting character. Credited with being the first bishop ever, establishing the church at Antioch, authoring 2 epistles and a number of other notable achievements, Peter is best-known in history for being the guy that denied Jesus 3 times.
Much like Thomas, it is the failings and weaknesses of Peter that makes him much easier for me to relate to than Jesus.
The Gospel passage for today, John 21:1-19, tells the story of Jesus cleaning the slate with Peter, leaving the church in his hands. This in and of itself is monumental: Christ did not entrust his mission to someone who was perfect, someone who had never failed. He left his church in the hands of someone who was flawed, just as we all are.
If ever we feel that we are unworthy, not good enough, not strong or smart enough, that we just don't measure up, we can perhaps be inspired by the story of Peter. It reminds us that no one is beyond reprieve in the eyes of God.
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