Three Questions: Homily for Friday, May 17, 2024

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Before the resurrection, Peter answered three questions with “I don’t know the man.” After the resurrection, Peter is able to tell Jesus just how much he loves him.

Three Questions

This is a very different Peter than the last time he answered three questions. The last time he answered three questions, it was, “Do you know Jesus?” And three times he said, “No.” He denied. But a lot has happened to Peter since those days.

He’s received the forgiveness of Jesus. He’s received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And he answers today three affirmations of his love for Jesus. It’s interesting that we don’t get an encounter of Peter being so bold and cocky that, “Oh yes, Lord, I will die with you.”

He speaks of his love. And ultimately, Jesus gives him the great ministry of leadership. In many ways, Peter was always the leader. He wasn’t always a prudent leader, sometimes jumping into things before he had thought them through.

But it was Peter who was often the leader — with James and John. This will continue. At significant moments in the ministry of Jesus, it’s Peter, James, and John who are welcomed to join Jesus for these significant moments.

I think today of the ministry of the Holy Father. What an awesome responsibility. Responsible for the universal Church. Recognizing the many challenges the world faces. Martyrdom. Strong differences of belief in, let’s say, this country and Germany, compared with the majority of Catholics throughout the world. Let us pray today for the Holy Father, that he might be faithful in his ministry as the his ministry as the Vicar of Christ.

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