6 June 2014 - affirmed

6 June 2014 - affirmed

Like Peter most of us deny Jesus at one time or another.  There are times when it seems bad for us if other people know that we are followers of Jesus.  If we take a stand we risk our reputation and relationships.  We risk making other people uncomfortable or upset.  Instead of doing so, we often choose to deny Jesus, even if by our silence.

It is great comfort, therefore, to see the rehabilitation of Peter.  For every time Peter denies Jesus he is given an opportunity to affirm his love for him.  Jesus doesn't ask three times because he doesn't believe Peter.  He asks because he knows that Peter needs to say it once for each denial in order to move on.  This is also why the sacrament of reconciliation includes doing penance.

It is interesting to see Peter's enthusiasm tempered.  He was once the one who said he would follow Jesus to death (cf. Luk. 22:23) before his own weakness became painfully apparent.  But now, Jesus asks him if he has agape love (selfless love) for him and Peter can only promise phileo (friendly affection).  Peter now knows his own weakness.  And the third time Jesus asks, he asks for phileo, something Peter believes he can give.  He is willing to work with Peter's process.  But even as he accepts this he tells Peter that his death will be an agape love offering to glorify God.

Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.

Jesus wants to change us all from those who deny him into a people who witness to him clearly.  He wants us to be like Paul.  Even the Roman Procurator Festus understands exactly what Paul is all about.

Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus who had died
but who Paul claimed was alive.

Being clear about the basics like this is fundamental to caring for the sheep of Jesus.  It is only the truth that frees, and only if we stick up for it and do not deny it.  Jesus will stick with us to help our love grow from affection that still has selfish roots into something selfless, something which can even follow Jesus to the cross.  Jesus empowers us to respond to Paul's plea:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship (cf. Rom. 12:1).

It starts "in view of God's mercy" as it does for Peter.  Our sins are finally forgiven and completely removed. 

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.

God makes this mercy so available.  Let us avail ourselves of it.  May we not stop there.  May we bear him witness and feed his sheep.