PETER, A WOUNDED HEALER

Peter is a colourful character with surprises, a man of all seasons. He showed courage in defending Jesus, but was also cowardly and ran away too. Swearing to stay faithful, even laying down his life for Jesus, shortly after that he denied Jesus three times. For that Peter “left the courtyard and wept bitterly”. He is famously remembered for his loyalty: “To whom shall we go, for you have the word of life.” Peter is trusting but impulsive. His mouth at times seemed faster than his thinking.

Peter is beautifully fragile, but he never lost his love for Jesus. “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.” Jesus knew Peter’s weakness and strength when he entrusted his Church into the hands of Peter as her head. Jesus trusted Peter more than Peter trusted himself.

For centuries, history shows that the Church founded by Christ is strong and relevant when it allows itself to be vulnerable among the vulnerable, to be wounded among the wounded. Wealth and power eventually corrupt and weaken the Church when she turns away from God and places her trust in worldly strength.

We the Church should never shy away from showing our vulnerability and a humble human face of Christ. The Church, like Peter, is called to be consoler and wounded healer out of her experience of knowing what it is like to be on the side of the vulnerable.

Undoubtedly, to be Church in today’s world is no easier than the early Church. To be a counter-cultural Church and owning our sinfulness is like swimming against the tide of the current. But mission and witness to the gospel values remain indispensable to her ultimate cause. Where is our strength from?

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”