The Courage of Peter

Caroline Godin reflects on the courage Peter needed in following Jesus and building the early Church and how his story relates to hers.

When I was going through Confirmation prep class in tenth grade, most of my classmates were dragging feet and didn’t quite understand the meaning. I seemed to be the only teen that knew when to sit, stand, or kneel during Mass. “Caroline, do you have this thing memorized or something?” Something like that.

I put more thought into the process than most others. We had to memorize and write out prayers, go on an all-day retreat and listen to nuns and priests, and write a short essay on why we were choosing our saint's name. It was far more involved than what my current Confirmation students go through.

While everyone was choosing a name that went well with their own, I was choosing a saint that went well with me. I choose Saint Peter. I did turn a few heads, adults and teens, when I didn’t choose a girl’s name. It certainly wasn’t for his name but for his character. I mean, it’s a bonus that he’s also our first pope, but that wasn’t the reason either.

Here’s a guy that stepped out of his boat, dropping his livelihood, to follow a stranger his brother was convinced was the Messiah (John 1: 41-42). Here’s a guy who so blatantly wanted to follow Christ into battle that he cuts off an ear in his zeal (John 18:10-11). Here’s a guy that insists he’ll never deny Christ, yet he denied Him three times (Luke 22:34). He even walked on water, that is until he feared the waves and fell in (Matthew 14:27-31).

So why did I pick a person who fumbled so much or tried running headlong into mistakes? Well, that’s me. I remember being very little and learning that people spoke different languages and saying, “America has the real language though!” What a foolish thing to say! I remember my father laughing at me before correcting me.

Plenty of times, I’ve made quite a fool of myself and been very wrong in my zeal. The intentions were usually good, though. Still, the Lord loves me. Just as it was with Peter, who fumbled and denied, the Lord still chose him to feed His lambs, tend His sheep, and feed His sheep (John 21:15-17).

Peter wasn’t the only saint to fumble with zeal. Remember Paul, or rather, Saul? He was so on fire for the Lord that he was killing those he thought opposed the Lord … but he was killing early Christians. The Lord saw his heart and a future for Paul that would lead to most of the New Testament! He had to knock him clear off his horse, but He got His message across. Saul then became Paul after meeting with Ananias. (Acts 9:1-19)

So, I’m admitting to being a bumbling fool. Still, why would a 15-year-old girl choose Peter for her patron saint? There’s obviously more to Peter than his blunders, thank God!

Peter could have wallowed in his embarrassment. He could have walked away and said, “I’m not worthy and won’t take part.” He could have fallen into depression and despair and done as Judas by taking his own life (Matthew 27:5). He didn’t. He pulled himself up by the proverbial bootstraps and moved on. That takes courage!

He swallowed his pride (on a number of occasions) and kept following Jesus, even to death. He still felt unworthy (aren’t we all though) and demanded to be crucified upside down, but he didn’t run away in the end. Peter listened to counsel, continued his relationship with Jesus, and led the early Church as the first and most historic pope.

I have no plans of leading a church. I’m a mom of three and a catechist so that’s enough leadership for me. Lord knows what else I’ll be asked to do. Whatever it is, I may need to swallow my pride, calm my zeal (unless it’s Spirit-driven!), and take up my cross for whatever the Lord asks me to do.

I have needed to stand up for my faith, even to the point of losing my job and career. I have rushed in with zeal only to fall flat on my face. I have denied the Lord (probably more than three times) all the name of public image. Still, the Lord isn’t done with me and I’m not giving up on Him.

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I may need to swallow my pride, calm my zeal (unless it’s Spirit-driven!), and take up my cross for whatever the Lord asks me to do. #catholicmom

I may not lead a grand movement or shepherd hordes of bishops, but I must do whatever part He’s asking. Only God knows what part we play and its importance. Paul didn’t know which of his letters would impact the world or how. Peter didn’t know how important leaving the fishing trade would be. They each trusted and obeyed the Lord.

May I be as courageous and Peter (and Paul too). May we all persevere in whatever the Lord is asking of us. And may we especially pray for such courage as we come upon the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29.

Copyright 2022 Caroline Godin
Images: Andrzej Otrębski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Unknown authorUnknown author (Florentine School), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons