Thursday, June 26, 2014

The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul - John 21:15-19

John 21:15-19
Jesus relentless questioning might seem harsh to our ears but Peter’s threefold “I love you” was meant to make up for his three time denial in the courtyard where “what’s love got to do with it?” (Tina Turner) was all about survival. Of course it is easier to say “I love you” after breakfast than in the courtyard of the high priest when a servant girl just won’t let you get away with “I don’t know the man!” So Peter’s confession of love for Jesus – post resurrection (that makes it easier don’t you think?) is not as significant as it may appear. But when he was older, his hands stretched out, taken where he did not want to go, his confession of love more than made up for his cowardice in the courtyard. There is no doubt he cried tears on that day – he would be less than human if his crucifixion did not cause him to cry out – but unlike his tears after the rooster crowed I don’t think they were bitter.  

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