The statue of St. Peter is usually accompanied by a cock, a reminder of the story of the betrayal by Peter, which was predicted by Jesus during the last supper. Before the cock crow, Peter denied being a disciple of the Lord three times. Also, the statue of St. Paul is usually with a sword in his hand, a reminder of the persecution that Paul did before his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus that led to his conversion.
A cock for Peter and a sword for Paul – these are the symbols of these two great apostles of Jesus; symbols that are mired by their weaknesses, betrayal for Peter and persecution for Paul.
The symbol of their greatness is at the same time a symbol of their weakness. Why? Because it is in their weakness that they have found the power of God. It is in their weakness that they found a turning point in their discipleship. It shaped the road they took in continuing what Jesus begun.
An American author, James Hillman wrote that it is our inferiorities that build up our soul. His view is that it is not our strengths that give us depth and character but it is our weaknesses.
It is in our weaknesses that we truly recognize what the power of God can do in our life; for God chooses the little ones to humble the strong. God chooses the humble to put down the proud.
The cock reminds us of the betrayal by Peter. The sword reminds us of the persecution by Paul. And in this background their commitment to share in the mission of Jesus Christ shines more brightly for their greatness as apostles of Jesus is the fruit of the work of God in and through them.
Yes, we are all weak. But facing our weaknesses squarely gives depth and character to our faith. And in our weaknesses we see the true face of an omnipotent God. Despite of our weaknesses God triumphs in and through us for it is his power which is at work in us. In God it is when we are weak that we are strong. It is when we are humble that we are exalted. It is when we accept that we cannot that we truly can.
Sts. Peter and Paul, pray for us.
