From the Sunday Note, with additional thoughts…
The Gospel reading this week is long and theologically rich, most of it involving Peter. We will quote a few lines to see what we can draw from it.
After the Resurrection, back in Galilee, Peter says to six of the other disciples: “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” Peter has been, is, and remains the leader of the group. He takes the initiative, and all the others respond to him. He is an impressively big man—later he pulls their huge catch to the shore by himself, when the six others were struggling with it. In Acts we see him repeatedly take the initiative as the Church begins and grows, decisively confirming the outreach to the Gentiles when Paul’s ministry is challenged.
“So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” It is John “the beloved disciple,” who recognizes the presence of Jesus first. Peter is not always the disciple with quickest insights, but again it is Peter who acts as the leader. Peter immediately leaps out of the comfort of the boat into the sea to go confirm what John has discerned.
After the meal, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Jesus repeats the question three times—Peter is directly answerable to Christ for his failures in faith. Peter is the leader, even “the Rock” as Jesus names him, but Jesus is the Lord. The Lord calls him strictly to account, insisting that he fulfill his leadership role with the flock. He must feed and tend that flock, even as he honestly faces his own failures. Specifically, his “following Jesus” will lead him into facing his own crucifixion, the very threat of a tortuous death he had run away from after Jesus’ arrest. Jesus’ “Follow me” was, eventually, fulfilled literally in Peter’s case when he was crucified in Rome under Nero. In fact, some 28 of the first 31 leaders of the Church died as martyrs as Peter did.
I know, I know—that was a long time ago, and how about corrupt popes, and can’t we all just follow Jesus without the Church at all, etc., etc. There are a thousand questions, many worth considering, but there’s no room for a book in an email—a “Note” will have to do for today. I will just mention a couple of thoughts about those Church leaders after Peter, the ones eventually called “popes” by everyone.
By the time the New Testament we all use was circulating widely, there already had been several leaders after Peter, and the martyrdoms had continued. That “strict accounting” Christ held the Rock to applies to all those who succeeded Peter, right up to today. Oh, yes, a strict accounting, just as with us, who are all too willing to judge others—neighbors, relatives, presidents, popes—but give ourselves every benefit of a doubt. We all want mercy (and may we receive it!) but we must want it and pray for it for everyone, even for popes.
For further reflection:
All of us are raised and mis-raised as we are growing up, just as our parents and teachers were. The Gospels are nothing but honest as they show us how difficult it is to commit, solidly, deeply, completely to Christ. The good news for you and for me is that is exactly what we see in the men our Lord chose to be the foundation and core of his Church.
Are you a sinner? Struggling with faith? With Christ-like action?
Welcome, my friend, you fit right in!