by Fr. Gregory-David Jones, O.S.B.

      “Peter converted 3,000 people in one day!”  That sounds amazing, but that statement is not reflect the whole reality.  We have to remember who Peter was, his character and the astonishing transformation that happened in his life soon after the Resurrection of the Lord.  Sometimes we can get so caught up in the sensationalism of hearing or reading about such a dynamic event as the conversion of thousands of people that we can miss the deeper more profound reality of God’s grace and providence. 

     If we could go back in time and ask Peter’s opinion of his own preaching, he would likely not answer the question in the way a talented musician would evaluate his performance.  Rather, he would probably give an answer that deflects from the dynamism of his delivery.  Peter would more than likely give all credit to the Lord in a similar way that John the Baptist did in heralding Jesus.  This kind of reaction is not a form of superficial self-deprecation, but a simple explanation of the reality involved.  In his delivery Peter simply tells the people that they were complicit in the death of the Messiah, but adds that through Him was their ultimate hope for salvation.  He also reveals that those who are saved are, “… whomever the Lord our God will call."

     To summarize:  Christ’s life makes it possible for salvation, Peter under the influence of the Holy Spirit delivered the message through the authority Christ gave him – as a result, thousands became disciples through God’s grace.  Back at the time when Peter wept as Jesus was being led to His Crucifixion, Peter could not imagine what awesome things God would be accomplished through him.  However, he persevered in listening to and following the voice of the Good Shepherd and became an instrument, actually the Vicar of Christ, in leading the sheepfold.  Let us not judge ourselves as being too unworthy or untalented to become saints.  Maybe at this point in your life, you may feel that you cannot accomplish great things or exercise heroic virtue, but remember it is not about what you can do.  It is about what God can do through you as His instrument.  Our part is simply to persevere in our efforts to listen to and follow the voice of our Good Shepherd.  The rest is God's work! 

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