Reflections on The Call - by Mons Paul Cremona

 

The Bishopric has its first beginnings from the twelve apostles. It is called the apostolic succession. Every bishop takes a spiritual bond, through the ordaining bishop, to the first apostles. So the consecration of a bishop is not only a legislative measure but it is also a spiritual bond on the spiritual life of the apostles, as it is presented to us in the New Testament.

One of the apostles which I really admire – perhaps most – is St Peter. I will just mention some episodes out of the many that are mentioned in the Gospel.

The first is found in Matthew 16: 18. Peter has just seen the divine power of Jesus in the miracle of a large catch of fish. The narrative begins when Jesus encounters the apostles who were out fishing. He told them to throw their nets again. I can just imagine Peter not believing it at first: “We are fishermen – professionals - and didn’t catch anything! And now this carpenter is telling us to throw again our nets!” I am sure that humanly speaking he must have been incredulous. But when he saw the divine power of Jesus, this was his reaction: depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinner! And Jesus at that moment, told him that he will be a fisher of men. At that moment I suppose that Jesus saw him ready to be led by him. Being a sinner did not impede the Lord proclaiming him the leader, because he confessed his sinfulness through humility and forgiveness.

There was another of the apostles who sinned against Jesus – Judas. The only difference was that while Peter asks for forgiveness, Judas tried to redeem his sin. In fact, God does not choose fishermen as apostles; he chose also a tax collector – Matthew. Jesus was persecuted by the Pharisees. All the same, he chose a Pharisee as an apostle – Paul.

The second episode that records the relationship of Jesus with Peter is that after having taught Peter how they should follow “the way of the cross” before eliciting from him a proclamation of his love: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus told him that he is the rock upon which he will build his church (John 21: 17). The life of Peter is an inspiration for us all, but especially bishops, how to follow Jesus.

May I suggest that you read these episodes from the life of Peter with Jesus:

a) He taught them about the word of God. You know that some of his teachings were meant just for the apostles; for example, the transfiguration: Do not speak about this before I go to the Father. And this is seen also in some miracles which he made for them only to fortify them in their faith. (Matthew 17: 3)

b) He protected them in the Garden of Olives (Luke 9: 30): “I told you that I am Him; if you seek me, let these men go.” (John 18:8) And when he had risen and appeared to the Apostles, he told them to go to Galilee. He knew that if they remained in Jerusalem, they would have been killed. (Matthew 28:7)