to: all of my friends
from: Father Bill Muench
I must tell you about this past week – I took a couple of days off to visit in Syracuse – I wanted to check in on Mary Lee, my brother’s wife – she is continuing her treatment for breast cancer – the good news is that she is doing well and looks great – but continues to be under treatment and certainly needs our continuing prayers.
I stayed a couple of days with my nephew, Paul – his wife, Susan and their three children, Mary, Will and Anna – It was a enjoyable visit – and, I must admit, a learning experience. It has been a while since I have been in the middle of a busy family – living out daily life – with things constantly going on – demanding careful and good parenting – all that it takes to make an alive and happy and peaceful family. I truly enjoyed watching these very loving and concerned parents deal with the lives of their children in so many ways – great ways – it was certainly a good experience for this priest.
Third Sunday of Easter
The Gospel story for this Sunday is a familiar story – it is set after the crucifixion of Jesus – the apostles are together on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias – and they decide to go fishing but catch nothing – in many ways it is a scene of hopelessness – with the crucifixion of Jesus all seems to be hopeless for them. However, at dawn – Jesus comes – and so does success – Jesus points out to these professional fishermen – a better spot – and they catch more than enough fish – then Jesus invites them ashore for breakfast – which he has cooked for them. The story is wonderful with so many precise details – they caught exactly 153 big fish – whoever remembered this story, remembered all the details.
The Gospel reading continues with a second story – Jesus challenges Peter – three times – “Simon, Son of John, do you love me more than these?” – three times – Peter is a bit annoyed – but he should have known – he had denied Jesus exactly three times – sometimes we write someone off because of one bad experience – never let them back into our good graces – but here is Jesus – calmly and cleverly welcoming Peter back into the fold – even to the point of inviting him to become the leader.
Peter learned that in spite of his denials, Jesus still loved him. It is an amazing experience to be loved in one’s weakness and sinfulness. Peter had the guts to get up again after his fall. He became a leader – aware of his own weakness – I am certain that this helped him understand the weakness of others.
So Peter become a model for us all – we must learn to forgive ourselves- our own failures – we must not judge ourselves or others by momentary lapses – but by commitment over a long time in our beliefs.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles – the first reading for the Third Sunday of Easter – demonstrates Peter as the great leader – in his conflict with the Sanhedrin. “We must obey God rather than men.” The religious leaders of the Sanhedrin demand that the apostles stop teaching in the name of Jesus. However, Peter boldly teaches, “God exalted Him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Peter’s speech provides us with an example of the form of the Christian proclamation of salvation through Jesus. The name of Jesus manifests the authority of God in powerful, concrete ways. One of the most concrete is the disciple’s own willingness to die for it.
LET US PRAY
Almighty God, my Father, I pray today through the intercession of St. Peter, that I may learn again of your great love for me – even in my sinfulness – and that you will stand with me as I speak to others of your saving love and readiness to come to this community of mine to bring love and forgiveness – and also to strengthen us to meet the challenge to bring your message to our world by living in your Spirit. This is my prayer. Amen.
Please join me as we join together to say the Lord’s Prayer.
0 comments:
Post a Comment