In a book entitled simply, Saint Peter, historian Michael Grant devotes an entire chapter to Peter's weaknesses. Throughout the gospel narratives Peter shows an incredible lack of comprehension as to who Jesus was and what he was all about. And while none of the disciples come across as exemplary faith models, Grant argues that Peter is portrayed in a particularly unfavorable light.

Peter is censured by Paul as having misunderstood who Jesus was and what he was trying to accomplish. In moments of confusion and fear, Peter speaks without really understanding what he's saying. Peter's attempt to walk on water failed because he had insufficient faith. When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter, like the others, fell asleep. And when Jesus returns and finds them sleeping, Jesus seems to single out Peter, "Couldn't you stay awake even for an hour?" Almost like Jesus somehow expected more from him.

Do you suppose that despite his flaws, Jesus was looking for someone just like Peter—is looking for people who listen to their hearts? Who aren't afraid of their own emotions? Who are passionate about the things he was passionate about? People who are downright uninhibited and unafraid?

Because if left merely to the rationale of our human ways of thinking and being, we'd always look for an out. We seem to be most comfortable when we are in control, when we're organizing and ordering, qualifying and categorizing, being efficient and expedient. But there is a huge difference between showing emotion and being emotional.