Sunday Inbox Inspirations
(This weekend, I did not preach. Therefore, today I am posting one of my recent weekday homilies.)
Friday of the 7th Week of Easter
May 21, 2021 11am
Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center
Readings: Acts 25.13b-21
John 21.15-19
Today’s gospel tells us something very wonderful about Jesus.
Peter has denied him three times.
Now Jesus asks him three times, “Do you love me?”
Jesus does not even mention what Peter has done.
There is no put down, no castigating, no vengeance, no punishment, no penance, no three Our Fathers and three Mary’s – nothing.
Jesus’ direct but completely respectful questions allow Peter to rise to the occasion and be redeemed.
Jesus wants and allows Peter to be restored.
Jesus’ agenda is restoration of the relationship, not retribution for wrongdoing.
Then, Jesus takes Peter at his word – that Peter really loves him.
Jesus trusts him.
With this trust in Peter, Jesus entrusts him with an important responsibility – to care for his sheep.
He makes him the first and chief pastor of the flock.
I imagine that many of us are at some time in the position of Peter.
At some point in our lives, we may need the opportunity to be forgiven or redeemed in such a respectful way.
We may need the opportunity of restoration and not retribution.
Or maybe, on the flip side, we need to extend this opportunity to be forgiven and redeemed to someone in the same way that Jesus does here.
We may need to offer restoration of relationship and not retribution for wrongdoing.
So, what a beautiful example and lesson this passage is for us today!
Father Michael Schleupner
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