should be there, or even the hundredth: and that we know that this example of
CHAPTER 1: The Calling and Preparation of the Twelve
should be there, or even the hundredth: and that we know that this example of our Lord Jesus Christ must serve as goads to prick us and amend ourselves for such sluggishness: or at the least that we groan before God, and pray that he Please forgive us in that we fail, and who could close the door to us, that our petitions might otherwise find no access to him: and that we say, Lord, although I am here a poor miserable creature, who am not worthy to raise my head to heaven to ask you, nevertheless you will not fail to hold my hand, and to extend it so far, that however far I may be from you, notwithstanding this do not drive me away from your grace: but that you extend your infinite virtue to me, and that you do not stop listening to me, whatever my condition may be. So here is again what have to remember from this passage.
Now it is said that he called Simon Peter and the sons of Zebedee. It is true that the form is Boanerges, derived from Benai reges, that is to say, children of thunder: and the changes are made like this. Because when we put some specific word from one language into another, very often we do not render it as it is. As of Peter himself, when he is called Cephas. This is not what Jesus Christ said in the first place: for what similarity is there between Cephas and Peter? But let's take the Greek and Latin word, still there is a big difference between Peter and Petre that we will say. Therefore, we need not occupy ourselves greatly in that there is something syllable changed: because also the Evangelist expressly supplies the meaning of this title which was attributed to John and his brother James. It is true that this word suits all apostles, to be sons of thunder. For we know what is said by the Prophet Haggai, that the preaching of the gospel was to move heaven and earth, and to make everything tremble. Now Peter was an ambassador of the gospel as well as these two brothers here, and nevertheless this title is not attributed to him, but that does not prevent that par excellence our Lord Jesus Christ did not want to show how he wanted to work in James, and in John his brother. And in fact, the name Peter is also suitable for all the faithful, as he himself speaks of it: for he exhorts us to be built to be used in the church of God, that we may be living stones, and that we may be placed on the foundation which has been laid there, namely our Lord Jesus Christ. Peter therefore shows, although this is common to him with all children of God, namely, that they are living stones to serve in the spiritual building of the church. Yet the name was rightly given to him because he was already ordered to show great firmness, and such constancy, that we can, looking to him, be as well strengthened on our part. Moreover, let us note that our Lord Jesus Christ did not wish here to praise the virtues which they had of themselves. For to