Catechesis of Benedict XVI on St. Peter (II)

Faith a Journey of Suffering and Love, Says Pope

Notes That Jesus Adapted Himself to Peter's Weakness

VATICAN CITY, MAY 24, 2007 (ZENIT.org).-

The path of faith is not a triumphal march, but a journey littered with suffering and love, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope delivered that message at today's general audience in St. Peter's Square. Addressing the 35,000 people in attendance, Benedict XVI talked about how the first Pope, St. Peter, passed from being a fisherman in Galilee to an apostle.

"Peter, too, must learn that he is weak and in need of forgiveness," he explained recalling the Gospel passage in which Peter denied Jesus prior to the crucifixion.

"When the mask finally falls and he understands the truth of his weak heart of a believing sinner, he breaks out in liberating tears of repentance," the Pontiff said. "After this weeping, he is now ready for his mission."

The catechesis focused on two key moments for the apostle who would be the first Bishop of Rome: the multiplication of the loaves and the moment after the resurrection, when Jesus called him to be shepherd of the universal Church.

"Peter's impetuous generosity does not safeguard him, however, from the risks connected to human weakness. It is what we can also recognize based on our lives," indicated the Holy Father.

Betrayal

In the face of the cross, Peter "gives way to fear and falls: He betrays the Master," Benedict XVI observed. "The school of faith is not a triumphal march, but a journey strewn with sufferings and love, trials and faithfulness to be renewed every day."

"Peter, who had promised absolute faithfulness, knew the bitterness and humiliation of denial: The arrogant learned humility at his expense," the Pope noted, pointing out the key that made Peter an apostle.

Thus it was that on the shores of the Lake of Tiberias, after the resurrection, Jesus entrusted that mission to Peter. Benedict XVI relived the dialogue of the three questions that Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me more than these?"

"It would seem that Jesus adapted himself to Peter, rather than Peter to Jesus! It is precisely this divine adaptation that gives hope to the disciple, who has known the suffering of infidelity," the Holy Father said. "From here trust is born that makes him able to follow to the end," including death in Rome.

"From the ingenuous enthusiasm of the initial adherence, passing through the painful experience of denial and the tears of conversion, Peter came to entrust himself to Jesus who adapted himself to his poor capacity to love," Benedict XVI said.

"And he also shows us the way, despite all our weakness," he added. "We know that Jesus adapts himself to our weakness. We follow him, with our poor capacity to love and we know that Jesus is good and he accepts us."

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