Saint Peter

Who is he?

Saint Peter is one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Jesus chose him to lead the Apostles, and the Church honors him as the first Pope. All the Popes after him are the successors of Saint Peter.

Life story

His name was Simon, a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. The first time Jesus met him, he said that he would be called Cephas, which means Peter (cf. Jn 1:42). One day, Simon and his brother Andrew were casting their net when Jesus passed by and called them both to follow him. At once they left their nets and followed him (cf. Mt 4:18-20).

One night, the disciples were in a boat in a storm when they saw Jesus walking on the water. Peter asked to come to Jesus and stepped out onto the water. But when he saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid, began to sink and cried out: “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him (cf. Mt 14:28-31).

When Jesus asked the disciples who they thought he was, Peter answered: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said that he was Peter, which means Rock, that he would build his Church on this rock, and he promised to give him the keys of the kingdom of heaven (cf. Mt 16:15-19).

On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter was afraid and denied knowing his Master three times. The cock crowed, and Jesus turned and looked at him. Peter remembered the Lord’s words, went out and wept bitterly (cf. Lk 22:60-62). After he rose from the dead, Jesus met Peter by the lake and asked him three times, each time a little differently; the third time Jesus asked: “Do you love me?” Peter was sad to be asked three times, but each time he answered that he loved his Master, and Jesus gave him his flock to care for (cf. Jn 21:15-17).

On the day of Pentecost, fifty days after Easter, when the Holy Spirit had come down, Peter preached with courage, and that day about three thousand people joined the faith (cf. Acts 2:41). Later, he went to Rome and was martyred under the emperor Nero. According to tradition, his tomb lies beneath today’s Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Why is he a saint?

Saint Peter was not perfect: he was afraid at times, he doubted, and he denied his Master. But every time he fell, he came back to the Lord with sorrow and love. He faithfully preached the Gospel, took care of the Church and dared to die for Jesus. The Church celebrates him together with Saint Paul.

A lesson for you

• When you do something wrong, don’t hide from God: say sorry honestly, go to Confession, then start again like Saint Peter.
• When you are afraid or something is hard, call on the Lord. He is ready to reach out his hand and lift you up.
• Pray for the Pope, Saint Peter’s successor today.