Third Sunday of Easter, 18 April 2010

Last week it was Thomas who was centre stage. This week it is Peter. Don’t worry – I had not a grandfather called Peter!

If Peter had been interviewed for the position of being the first Pope, I wonder would he have been successful. I fear that he may not. At a Conclave to elect a Pope, I’m not sure that Peter would be the Cardinals’ first choice. He doesn’t seem to have the ‘right’ profile for this role. Maybe he would have been judged to be more suitable as a parish priest!

If Peter was to live in a Bishop’s palace, I suspect that it might drive him mad! The only hope might be if the palace was near the sea, Peter could escape out to do some fishing. The only difficulty with that would be that if a storm blew up, Peter might be late back for first Mass!

Peter had one huge plus in his life and in his character. He loved Jesus and had a huge heart. Peter knew that he could not always handle the love he felt for Jesus. Just a few weeks ago during the Passion narrative, we followed Peter with some dismay as three times he denies knowing Jesus and even being one of his followers. Peter was afraid of being crucified.

But a simple glance from Jesus – when their eyes met – was enough to send Peter outside to weep bitterly. In that moment, he learned what it is to be weak and fragile. He wanted to be strong and to stand by Jesus, and when the chance came he failed and cowardice got the better of him. In the end, though, Peter was crucified and died like his Master.

Who changed Peter? Jesus did! Who could change us? Jesus can! The only way that this can happen is when Jesus comes into our hearts and heals our brokenness. To try to do this by ourselves is pride and self-deception. Judas betrayed Jesus and didn’t believe there was any way back to Jesus. Peter denied Him three times and found a way back.

Many times, I don’t let Jesus get that close to me and so He must remain standing at the door and knocking, waiting to be let in. I can adopt a do-it-yourself approach. But DIY fixes don’t work and don’t last. The only Saviour and Healer is Jesus.

Only by spending time listening to Jesus do we make Him part of our way of thinking and acting. Only by tracking His footprints in the church and world today do we find our way. Jesus reminds us that He is the Way. Only by catching a glimpse of what His Kingdom might be like do we become Kingdom people. To see enemies embrace is one sign of the Kingdom. To love and to be loved is a trace of the Kingdom. To speak a word for the voiceless and powerless of this world is a trace of the Kingdom. To work for justice and peace is a work of the Kingdom. Peter slowly but surely picked up the traces of the Risen Jesus and went to the ends of the earth to make Him known and loved.

When Peter was asked to make a triple confession of love, he got impatient with Jesus. He cried out, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you”. Jesus knows that we love Him. He wants us to express it so that we will never forget the demands as well as the joys of Divine love.

Aidan Troy, C.P. [Aodhn Troighthigh, C.P.]