Sometimes I Feel Like Peter

It's not easy to be a true Christian
Be you are a Italian , Chinese or an East Indian .
What I am saying is it is not easy ,
To adhere to His' teachings for all nationalities.

Sometimes , I feel like good old Peter
Who denied Christ 3 times and therefore falter.
For how many times I've ignored Him ,
In countless of ways enough to fill a large bin.

One will always face many temptations
That are hard to resist if you're weak & no notion.
That's why 'arm yourself with prayers '
Until the' devil's ploys ' in my mind no longer races.

I pray to God , make me like St. Peter,
He who worked hard to make te church better.
He who was reliable and solid as a rock.
Never faltering and worked to increase his flock.

Steady Until The End .

My faith in Jesus still vaccilates
I do not know why I hesitates
Maybe it's 'coz I don't believe ?
Or just my belief is not as solid.

Many times , my life is tested .
Enough to keep one grounded .
But I keep distancing myself ,
When food is full in the shelf.

I call on Jesus, strengthen me.
Keep me as good as I can be.
I do not backslide now & then

But steady in faith 'till the end.

yyy

Polls

How often do we wonder what other people think of us ? Quite often , it turns out. It seems our societ is ruled by polls :polls about political leaders, about issues of the day , about shopping habits. And the self-help industry is flourishing in our culture where fear of others opinions results in panic and paralysis. No one seems sure of ( or happy about who they are !
Jesus in today's gospelseems to be no stranger to such wonderings . He asks his disciples ' Who do you people say who I am ? ' After the other disciples offer a few answers , Peter responds ' You are the Messiah. ' Jesus then teaches the disciples what it means to be a Messiah. He speaks of suffering , rejection , and death . This isn't at all what Peter was expecting -he quickly looks for other option , another idea on the subject .
While Peter may be searching for a ' better ' answer , Jesus does'nt need the apostle's approval . Jesus know who he is and sure of his message. All of his work is to help others to take up their case and follow. To take the way of the cross, to embrace our suffering , ' is to walk the presence of the Lord. in the land of the living.' ' It is to walk with confidence that we are graced and beloved of God.' It is to walk in the sureness of God's mercy and compassion.'

Carmen Diston, Toronto,ON.