Jesus looked at Simon
and saw Peter,
one tough rock
for His church.
Jesus looked at Peter,
a cock crowed,
and one tough rock
melted to tears.
Jesus looked at Simon
‘Lovest thou, me?’
‘Thou knowest that, Lord,’
even when I denied Thee.
Rocks reveal diamonds
when pierced Hands see
beyond dark failure
Graced possibilities.
Originally appeared in Agape Review.
Reena George MD is a radiation oncologist by training. She was awarded the Rotary Vocational Excellence award for establishing the Palliative Care Unit, hospice and home care program in Vellore, India. She has been involved in education at several levels, including starting the palliative care training for deacons at the Papal Seminary, Pune, India, in 2008. Her publications include a book, One Step at a Time: The Birth of the Christian Medical College Vellore, and chapters, reflections and poetry in the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine, the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Human Development, the Christian Journal for Global Health and JAMA Oncology.