Posted by The WORD in other words by Fr Anthony Salas SVD – San Isidro Labrador Parish, Agusan del Sur
Friday 7th Week of Easter
Peter is often times seen as impulsive yet also very passionate, especially with his relationship with and in his following of Jesus. This personal dynamic made him a natural leader of the Twelve. Being asked by Jesus three times (“Do you love me more than these?”) did not only remind him of his triple denial of Jesus, but must also have hit him hard for it seems that Jesus found him wanting in faithfulness and commitment to the mission.
Our following of Jesus entails not only having a deep feeling about Him or having a positive view about his life and mission, but also, more importantly, how we can live a radical life that Jesus had shown us even to the extent that we would be ostracized, persecuted and have to endure trials and difficulties.
As Christians, we are challenged to be credible witnesses. Our faith should consist not only of pious religious practices, but also of how we make our Christian values and principles known – courageously making a stand for the common good. For example, affirming the sanctity of life – from conception to its natural death; the inviolability of the dignity of the human person, theaffirmation that God is not only just but also kind and merciful, and that there is hope for sinners to repent and change their ways.
It is part of the mission of Peter and the mission of the church to feed and tend the sheep, to speak out “whether in season or out of season” on what the church holds dear in faith and practice. Our following of Jesus entails having faith in him and giving witness to this faith in concrete human contexts.
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