Sunday May 5, 2019
Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 5:27-32, 40B-41
Jn: 21:1-19
 
Today's gospel the Lord appears to the apostles again after His Resurrection. He brings good old Peter right back to that charcoal fire....the same charcoal fire mentioned in the Passion is mentioned today by St John....right back to that fire! 
 
Have you ever looked someone in the eye at a bonfire or at a outdoor fire, their eyes can tell you a story. Imagine the eyes of Peter when he stood warming himself and the servant girl asked him if he was one of this man's followers—Peter cursed and said he didn't even know him. Yes! The same Peter whose successors would also not be perfect as he was. Christ rose in the flesh!!! We forget this sometimes we think he was a ghost....just like they did! St. Augustine tells us Christ died in his passion and Peter died by his denial. Once Christ was raised from the dead he had to rise up Peter too! He questioned him about the love he needed him to profess. He entrusted the Church to Peter and his successors in love! Peter says I do! I do love you Lord! Not just once, but three times by the charcoal fire prepared for him on the shore. Look me right in the eye Peter with the same look I gave you the night before my passion with my hand bound now see my hands pierced with mercy for you. 
 
You see isn't it remarkable that the only question Jesus asked at the fire to this first among the brothers was a question of love? We too need to love Jesus! There is nothing more important in our lives than Him. Nothing! So, do you love Him? Stand today at that charcoal fire WITH Peter and answer His question to you. 
 
Do you love me?
 
St. Jude, PRAY FOR US
 
Fr Jeff  †