The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-03-20

purified bye suffering and transcending
all sense. 1t was then that pierced
with poignant grief he went forth and
Wept bitterly. 1t is said that he
sought nearby cave and there re-
manned in contrite prayer till the dawn
of the Resurrection Later on he is
given by the Saviour, to counterfeit
that triple denial, an opportunity to
make triple public profession of his
love. The primary SO long promised
is conferred upon him, and now the
life of Peter really begins.
Understanding now, what so long
he had with the other Apostles failed
to grasp, that the clinging to Christ's
material presence was only q hind
rance, and that even that JOY had to be
given up, if he was to do the work
of Christ, Peter humbly and prayer
fully awaited the coming of the Holy
Spirit. The Spirit came, as we have
read, on Pentecost, and as grace per-
fects nature and, as the nature of
Peter was supremely loving, and SUI
premely chastened by suffering, we
easily see how the Spirit of God made
him the great leader he was. He was
the Shepherd and he bravely took
upon himself the defense of the flock.
He was Christ's witness and all the
power of the Sanhedrin could not in
timidate him from making the boldest
profession of faith. The mystery of
suffering had been taught him and he
rejoiced to suffer for the name of
Christ. Great is his sanctity now.
At his word the cripple is made whole,
the dead woman is raised to life, his
shadow falls with blessing on the
afflicted, Gods angel strikes his
chains and opens the door of his
prison. But with all this, his humility
is most profound. He often appears
more as the servant than the leader,
he asks no pre-eminence in the Apos-
tolic work, his life is that of the
gentlest and most amiable of shep-
herds.
Tt is impossible to measure how
much the church owes and ever will
owe to st. Peter. We must bear in
mind that he was the chief minister
of the word,' that the gospel Of St.
Mark substantially came from him,
that his preaching was in all prob
ability incorporated in the other Cos
pels. Now that feature of the gospel,
which above all others must be vim
Dictated is, their veracity and what
makes above all things for their YER
acity, is the narration of the fail
ings Of the Apostles, and especially
of Peter, made by themselves. St.
John does not tell of the censure,
which he received, but the rashness,
over-confidence, and fall of Peter are
given in all gospels without eXtenua-
ton and without excuse. 1t is safe
to say that this unvarnished story of
Peter has done more for the veracity
of the gospels than all the writings
of the Fathers, than all the reason
saying is true that it is the heart that
makes the true theologian, then Peter
is prince in theology as we'll as in
government.
AS to the reproach of st. Paul that
st. Peter acted inconsistency, as this
episodeis not mentioned in Acts, over
which st. Paul presided, we may well
presume that he did not continue to
urge it. st. Peter humble, loving, gen.
tie, looking only for the good of these,
and then of those individuals, could
not satisfy the Judaizers and the Gen
tile converts, when brought together.
From his own standpoint his action
was no doubt as praiseworthy as it
was reprehensible from the standpoint
of st. Paul. ST. Peter was first of
all moved by love of individuals,
st. Paul by love of law. A superior
in such cases can make his choice,
and Peter was the superior.
Thus Peter lived. AS no heart
ever burned more ardently for his
Master, so no life was laid down more
cheerfully for His sake. By crucifix-
ion he persisted and SO gloriously did
he end his Apostolic career that not
one of his successors has presumed
to take his name. To appreciate his
character we must keep the true
perspective in view and not confuse
the impetuous and misguided Simon
with what he subsequently became
the humble, wise and courageous