Peter was a native of Bethsadia, the son of John, and worked, like his brother St Andrew, as a fisherman on Lake Gennesareth. Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus, and Christ called Peter to become an Apostle
Jesus gave Simon a new name: Cephas, or the rock. Becoming a disciple of Jesus, Peter acknowledged him as "...Messiah, the son of the living God". Christ responded by saying "...you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church..." He added: "I will give you the keys of the kindom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Peter was always listed as the first of the Apostles in all the New Testament accounts and was a member of the inner circle of Jesus, with James and John. He is recorded more than any other disciple, and was at Jesus' side at the Trandsfiguration, the raising of Jairus' daughter and the Agony of the Garden of Gethsemane. He helped organise the Last Supper and played a major role in the events of the Passion.
In the time immediately after the Ascension, Peter stood as the unquestionable head of the Apostles, his position made evident in the Acts. Peter was instrumental in bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles, thereby permitting the new Church to become universal.
According to rich tradition, Peter was crucified on the Vatican Hill upside down because he declared himself unworthy to die in the same manner as the Lord. He was then buried on Vatican Hill, and excavations under St Peter's Basilica have unearthed his probable tomb, and his relics are now enshrined under the high alter of St Peter's
Now Peter encourages us, with our own faults and limitations but also our strengths and qualities too, to be rock - living stones - making up and building the body of Christ.
St Peter - pray for us.