Sunday Reflections

I find Simon Peter to be one of the most relatable people in the Scriptures.  He often seems to be confused by Jesus; teachings that are obvious to us (with 2000 years of hindsight) seem to go over his head, and lessons we thought he learned a few chapters ago he suddenly seems to forget! How could this man, who followed Jesus in person, learned from him when he was alive and encountered him several times after Jesus rose from the dead, still not get it?  I am sure the Lord often feels just as frustrated with my lack of faith and understanding.  

In today’s Gospel Jesus asks Simon Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Each time Simon Peter answers “Yes”, but by the third time he becomes frustrated, and says “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” How many times have I become frustrated with God and said “Lord, you know I love you, why don’t you answer my prayer? Why don’t you speak to me?” It is so easy to forget that God’s plans are so much grander than our plans; that God sees the big picture, and when it seems like he is silent, perhaps it is just that we are not listening with an open heart. 

I have heard scholars say that Jesus asking Simon Peter “Do you love me?” three times was to allow Simon Peter to atone for denying Jesus three times during the Passion. Simon Peter knew immediately when the cock crowed after he denied knowing Jesus that he had done wrong. Matthew’s gospel said “he wept bitterly”. But recognizing our own guilt is not enough. We then need to turn to God and ask for forgiveness. We need to repair our relationship with God by telling him “Yes Lord, I love you. I am sorry for the things I’ve done that did not show my love for you.” Once we do this, and accept God’s unconditional love for us, then we can hear Jesus saying, again, “Follow me.”

I find it comforting that God forgave and loved Simon Peter; it gives me hope for my imperfect self. Let us learn from Simon Peter that we can always repent, turn back to God, and become a disciple and apostle, living the Good News of the Resurrection and sharing it with the world!