ST. PETER’S BOLDNESS
(Thursday, June 29)
“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he was naked, ἦν γὰρ γυμνός), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat…” (Jn 21:7-8a)
On this feast-day of Sts. Peter and Paul (NC), I’m thinking about St. Peter’s reaction to this appearance of the risen Lord, after Peter had denied Christ thrice during the events leading to the crucifixion. Peter’s “nakedness” at this point (after his “fall”) is reminiscent of Adam and Eve’s nakedness after their “fall,” but his reaction to the Lord showing up, after the fall, is quite different. Peter does not hide, as did Adam and Eve among the trees of the garden, like children, but does the opposite. He throws on his garment, because grown-ups know to get dressed for important meetings, and plunges into the sea to meet the Lord.
This is very different from Peter’s initial reaction to Christ, when he first met the Lord, Who had invited Himself into Peter’s boat and astonished everyone with the miraculous catch of fish: “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’” (Lk 5:8) But Jesus says to him: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” He is saying, I have not come to overpower you or fill you with fear; I have come to em-power you, to do as I just did, and more. From now on you will catch not fish but men.
We also need not cower in fear, before our risen Lord, my beloved readers, regardless of our “falls.” We can and should suit up and show up, as did St. Peter, to profess our love for Him. Our God is not a God Who consumes us by His fire, as He showed Moses in the vision of the burning bush. Thank You, Lord, for empowering us, rather than over-powering us, by Your grace.
