As a young, newly ordained priest, I admired a senior priest who was gifted, beloved, and had changed countless lives. But soon I learned that he had fallen in catastrophic and destructive ways. The painful juxtaposition of good and evil was complex to process. How could someone so seemingly good also be so broken and deceptive? It forced me to confront a sobering truth: leadership in the Church is no guarantee against weakness or sin.
Peter teaches that truth in this week’s Gospel. When he sees Jesus walking on the sea, Peter does what leaders do. He goes first. “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” But when he sees how strong the wind is, he becomes frightened and, beginning to sink, cries out, “Lord, save me.” Immediately, Jesus stretches out his hand and catches him.
St. Thomas Aquinas observes that Peter overcomes the greater danger of the waves but falters before the lesser threat of the wind. This is the paradox leaders often face. It is not always the great trials that undo us, but the smaller, quieter temptations, such as subtle fears and compromises, that lead us to sink.
The good news is that Jesus does not abandon Peter. He saves him before it is too late. Our frail humanity lives within a rhythm of grace, risk, failure, and mercy. Jesus helps Peter overcome both the obvious and hidden sources of fear, and he promises to do the same for us. So, let us pray for all, especially our spiritual leaders.
— Father John Muir
©LPi
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