Peter assures me of my own calling in life. Peter was determined yet imperfect. Isn’t that a reflection of many of us? We want to follow Christ and all too soon we realize our imperfections.

Peter is described as being a “determined” and “impulsive” disciple of the Lord. As our Lord was arrested in Gethsemane, Peter was resolved to draw the sword. Peter was impulsive in telling Jesus what to do. The Master rebuked him, telling Satan to get behind hum.

At the same time, Peter was frail in his denial. He was sincerely repentant in returning to his merciful Master who charged him to lovingly tend the sheep. This is the hallmark of Peter. He was willing to return to the Lord, his source and love, and turn away from his sins.

What sustained Peter was grace that was rooted in the divine call. I don’t need to be perfect. I do need a resolve to follow Christ as best I can. I need to be rooted in God’s loving presence so that my ego does not drive my life.

Below is a presentation of Sunday’s Gospel from The Chosen.

Jesus’ call was rooted in the impossible. He called Peter to put out into the deep. Where Peter thought there would be no fish, Jesus invited him to catch in abundance. So too with us. We are called to put our faith out into the deep. We must trust the Lord will lead us even if the road seems unclear.

All of us are called by the loving Master. He calls us to participate in his divine will in a way that is uniquely ours.

Pope Francis says, “If Jesus calls you and summons you for a mission, he first looks at you, plumbs the depths of your heart, and, knowing everything about you, fixes his gaze upon you” (Delexit nos 39).

I find consolation in the prayer attributed by Thomas Merton. The Lord knows my sincere desire to follow him. This alone is enough:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.
nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.