Moses and Peter are fallible leaders, but invited to remain faithful in the Lord

We make most of our decisions under the influence of human thinking and emotions; most of the time, it is done unconsciously, rather than according to God’s plan. 

Both readings reveal a powerful truth: even those closest to God—Moses and Peter—can fail to obey His will when they rely on human understanding instead of divine trust.

1. Any Leadership is fallible and towards the path of conversion until death:

• Moses disobeyed by striking the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded. God commanded him to speak to the rock; instead, Moses struck out of human emotions like anger and impatience. Moses did not follow God's precise instructions. 
• Peter, a future leader of the Church, to whom the keys are handed over, is not able to think according to the mind of God. He tried to prevent Jesus from fulfilling His mission of suffering and death. 

Both are called, chosen and appointed by God as leaders. But they failed to see the deeper wisdom of God's plan. It is possible for any popular leaders, for the leaders are always learners. We can understand in a sense that Peter was still a disciple, not sent on a mission, so he was impatient to speak according to the mind of human beings. But Moses, just towards the end of his life, promised the land; he was supposed to be a mature leader, but he failed. We are learning until death. God is the teacher who sends his servants on his own mission.

2. Human Thinking or acting out of emotions is common/natural for leaders

Moses and Peter are doing good and well-intended actions. They did not plan and commit the errors.

• Moses thought striking the rock (as he had done before) would be sufficient. Peter thought avoiding the cross was the right thing because he wanted to care the Lord.
• Human thinking or emotion is dangerous; Moses' action reveals pride rather than humility or compassion. He spoke as if he and Aaron were the ones performing the miracle, not God.

God's ways are not our ways. Human wisdom can never replace divine instruction. Even good-intentioned actions, if not aligned with God's will, can lead us astray. Necessities for our time of silence, recollection, 

3. God's Call for Humble Obedience

Leaders like Moses and Peter show us that failure is part of the journey, but so is growth. God’s interference is not a punishment, but a correction; it is not rejection—it is an invitation to deeper trust. Holiness requires obedience, even when we don't understand. Peter, after his rebuke, would go on to become the rock of the Church. Moses, though denied entry into the Promised Land, remained God's faithful servant to the end.

Personal Reflection:

Leaders are fallible, meaning they are capable of making mistakes. This is a natural part of being human, but the Lord is inviting them to a lifelong journey of discipleship that demands humility, obedience, and faith.