How a conversation with St John Paul leads to Saint Peter

(Vatican Radio) As you'll discover in this edition of 'Why Bother? Staying Catholic despite it all." Monsignor Peter Fleetwood is a man full of surprises. While he begins his reflection by sharing a conversation he once had with Saint John Paul II relating to Marxism and contemporary philosophy it's only to go on to speak of Saints Peter and Paul.

Listen to Monsignor Peter Fleetwood's reflection in a programme presented and produced by Veronica Scarisbrick:

Every member of the Church is described, Monsignor Peter tells us, in an old Latin Phrase, as simil justus et peccator - at one and the same time justified, yet a sinner. That is the way we are. Jesus Christ has redeemed us, but He does not live our lives for us. We can do and go wrong. So Saint Peter the Apostle is a great patron for people who are proud of their faith but also familiar with their own weaknesses and sins. We can wonder why we sinners should bother trying to live Christian lives, but this very human man encourages us to admit our failings and try again.

Saint Peter is usually linked with Saint Paul. Peter means 'Rocky' and Paul means 'Tiny'. Just as 'Rocky' could be pretty weak at times, 'Tiny' was a big man in God's eyes- although he was very conscious of his weakness in the face of temptation. We are not told exactly what temptations bothered him, but he described them as a scourge, a thorn in his flesh, and he really struggled to live up to his calling as a Christian. Saint Paul is a great patron for people who have become Christians as adults, having gone through an upbringing in another religion. If anyone had an excuse to howl 'why bother?' it was Paul, comments Monsignor Peter Fleetwood, adding how he recognised a simple truth that applies to all of us.That's to say that it is when we are weak that we recognise God's strength.