**The article is off track! **
Satan gives everyone of us temptations. St. Peter was not an exception.
With reference to Luke 22:15-20 Jesus had instituted the Eucaristic meal. Then in vers 21 Jesus tells that one of them will betray him (Judas as we know). After that there is a debate between the diciples about witch one of them that will be the greatest in Heaven. In verse 26 Jesus tells them: “rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.” In the Cartholic Church, the pope as a leader also is one who serves (follows Jesus example, because he served us). In vers 31 Jesus says: “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Jesus ask Peter to strengthen the others after they all have been tempted (I can’t see how Peters mission to strengten the others after they all have been tempted, diqualifies him as a future-pope).
What is interstening is that Peter thinks that he himself will be able to say no to the temptation.
The lesson is that we all need Gods grace to be able to even draw our breath. Peter hasn’t understood that, yet, in the reffered text. (Even popes need to grow in their relationship to God)!
But he will soon understand: After he has betrayed Jesus thee times, Jesus asks him three questions after his resurrection (John 21):
- ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’
- ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
- ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
Simon Peter answerd every question with a clear YES! The last time he even says:"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ This time Peter as accsepted that Jesus knows better than him. He is very humble! Jesus shows that there is hope and that the betrayal is forgiven. Jesus answers to Peters three YES is:
- ‘Feed my lambs.’
- ‘Tend my sheep.’
- ‘Feed my sheep.’
That
is precisely what a pope do: He leads and feeds Jesu flock (sheep)!!!
The drawback of the author of the article “Peter was not a Pope” of Sunday, March 27, 2005 in the SUNDAY + TIMES (Malta), has demonstrated bad knowlege in Catholisism and bad knowlege in that not everything is reported in all the four gospels… He needs more training!
His comparison of St. Peter and St. Paul is stupid! St. Paul was called later for other reasons.
(I have used an NRSV online Bible as a source).