Same

Mine is the SAME God as Saint Simon Peter’s…  What a marvel is that!

Saint Simon Peter (Icon)

I have been reflecting on Saint Simon Peter the Apostle, upon whom Christ built His Church.

Saint Simon Peter is such an extraordinary Saint.  He was a humble fisherman who was obedient.  He was so obedient to Christ that when he was instructed to cast his net to catch fish, he cast it and the fish were so plentiful that they nearly broke the nets…

“When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Push out into the deep water. Let down your nets for some fish.’ Simon said to Him, ‘Teacher, we have worked all night and we have caught nothing. But because You told me to, I will let the net down.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish, their net started to break.” (Luke 5:4-6).

He was the same apostle who stood on Mount Tabor and tried to put into words the action that should be taken in the face of the Divine…

“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.  Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.  Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ (Matthew 17:1-4).

He was the same Apostle who Christ called Satan…

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.  Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’  Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’” (Matthew 16:21-23).

He was the Apostle who first promised to die with Christ and then later denied Him three times before the cock crew…

“‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’   But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’  Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.’” (Luke 22:31-34).

It was for Saint Simon Peter – and for me – that Christ prayed…

And what did that mean for Saint Simon Peter?  It meant that Simon Peter – the fisherman who obediently cast his nets – was able to “‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’” (John 20:23).

That is the power of my God – the power to be able to place in me the Holy Spirit to do with me as I humbly allow Him…

Mine is the SAME God as Saint Simon Peter’s…  What a marvel is that!

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.