Every Rock Has Cracks—Some Are Just Invisible

Jesus gives Simon a new name: Peter, meaning “rock.” Rock means foundation. Jesus looks at this ordinary fisherman and sees something Peter himself probably does not yet recognize. He entrusts Peter with an extraordinary responsibility: to strengthen his brothers and become a foundation for the Church.

But there is something almost paradoxical about Jesus calling Peter a “rock,” because Peter did not always behave like one.

When Peter walked on water and saw the wind and waves, he panicked and began to sink. Later, during the Passion, when Jesus needed His friends most, Peter became afraid and denied three times that he even knew Him.

If Peter were applying for the position of “Rock of the Church,” we might look at his résumé and say, “Lord, are you sure? Maybe we should interview a few more candidates!”

Yet Jesus chose Peter.

Why? Because Jesus saw beyond Peter’s weakness. He saw not only who Peter was at that moment, but who Peter could become through grace.

Maybe like Peter, we feel inadequate to do the tasks. That is good news for us because many of us are called to be a rock for someone else.

You are the one people call when there is a problem. You are the one who keeps the family together. You are caring for your frail spouse or parent. You are the one who listens, helps, encourages, and takes care of everyone else.

Being a rock does not mean that you never get tired. It doesn’t mean you never cry, get discouraged, or feel overwhelmed. Being dependable does not require perfection.

Even rocks have cracks. In fact, every natural rock has cracks; some visible, others hidden from the human eye.

Peter was a rock, but he had cracks. His fear was a crack. His doubt was a crack. His denial of Jesus was a very deep crack. Yet Jesus still chose him and called him “rock.” Jesus did not wait for Peter to become flawless before entrusting him with a mission.

God does not require His rocks to be without cracks. He works through imperfect people. Our weaknesses do not necessarily disqualify us from being a source of strength for others. Sometimes it is precisely through the cracks that God’s grace becomes most visible. Peter learned that his strength did not come from himself. His strength came from Christ. True to what Jesus has said, “My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness 2 Cor 12:9).”

Remember when Peter began sinking, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus immediately reached out His hand. Peter became the rock of the Church not because he never fell, but because whenever he fell, he allowed Christ to raise him again. Maybe that is what holiness looks like for us too: always reaching again for Jesus’ hands.

Some days our courage, strength, and hope weaken. There may even be times when, like Peter, we sink. Sometimes we ask, yes, we can be a rock for our families, our children, our friends, and our community, but who is my rock?  We stand upon a greater Rock: Jesus Christ.

And once He lifts us up, we can continue to reach out our hand and help someone else stand again.

That is how ordinary people, like Peters, become rocks. Not by being perfect. But by standing on Christ.