In one of the dialogues that we hold with our temporary professed members, this individual asked me a question that was quite challenging, and it threw me off a bit. He asked why or what makes us invite someone to leave the seminary when we read in the scriptures that Jesus gave second chance to people like Zaccheus and Peter, and even made Peter to become the foundation or the rock on which the Catholic church is built.
After an extended period of silence and reflection, I responded something to the effect, that, for Peter he was more than willing to begin afresh, he was ready to engage in a loving, personal, relationship with Jesus after having denied him. Jesus asked him publicly three times as way of providing him with the opportunity to make a new beginning in his relationship with him. So, I told this gentleman that we ask people to leave if we see a persistent pattern coupled with unwillingness to work through transformation.
That is precisely what the gospel reading suggests, Jesus poses a very personal question to Peter three times. “Do you love me?” It is not in any way an accusing question, rather it is an inviting question that gives Peter the opportunity to start anew his relationship with Jesus. With the three-fold question, Jesus was not condemning Peter for his three denials but tenderly offering him a chance for redemption. The three-fold questions were meant to hold out the promise of a renewed friendship between Jesus and Peter. Peter, full of remorse and humility, unequivocally stated that he loved his master and was willing to serve him whatever it might cost. Consequently, that dialogue between Jesus and Peter shifted Peter from a place of shame to purposeful leadership. He moved from a place of pride to a place of humility. Grace moved Peter from a fearful, self-reliant denier to a devoted, committed loved disciple, one willing to sacrifice for Jesus.
The Lord Jesus calls each one of us, even in our weakness, sin, and failings, to love him above all else.
For the Lord continues to love us even when we fail him; he continues to draw us into communion with himself, even after we have broken communion with him.
He keeps asking us to renew our love for him, in response to his love for us. He personally asks us the same question he asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” and in prayer, we can give the answer Peter gave, “Lord you know I love you.”
We are called to shepherd each other in the Lord’s name, in different ways in accordance with our different gifts. We are called to serve each other to build each other up in faith, hope and love, to reveal the Lord to each other, but firstly, he needs us to keep renewing our own personal love of him. It is our loving communion with the Lord that allows him to work through us.