An Invitation to Freedom

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’”

John 21:15a

"I am going fishing" said St. Peter, and the other disciples who were there said "We also will come with you." At this point, Jesus had appeared to the Apostles several times already. They were no longer hiding in the locked room. The appearances of Jesus had gradually warmed their hearts and strengthened their spirits. But instead of spreading the Good News that Jesus had risen from the dead, Peter returned to fishing. However, even here we can see what Jesus said to Peter in the very beginning coming to fulfillment: "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Mt. 4:19). The disciples said to Peter, "We are coming with you!" Peter was catching men, but perhaps he did not realize this yet. And so they set out for the sea to catch some fish.

They caught nothing. They were unable to catch anything because they have been called to catch men and be for God, fishers of men. They were unable to catch anything because they were doing it apart from Jesus. Apart from God, man can do nothing, let alone doing anything well. When they had seen Jesus, and listened to His instructions, they caught numerous fish. The lesson they learned here was to depend on God and to heed the Words of Jesus. They caught 153 large fish, symbolizing the 153 species of fish that were known throughout the world and classified at the time - perhaps pointing to their call to preach the Good News universally to all nations and to be fishers of men.

After eating breakfast together, Jesus pulled Peter aside and asked him, "Do you love me more than these?" Peter said, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to Him, "Feed my lambs." A second time Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" Again, Peter answered affirmatively, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." "Tend my sheep." Then a third time Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." "Feed my sheep." Perhaps a well supported interpretation of the three-fold questioning Jesus proposed is that it was an opportunity for Peter to make up for the three times he had denied Christ. This three-fold confession of his love for Jesus made up for the three-fold denial of Peter.

With each question and answer, Jesus gave Peter a task. "Feed my lambs." "Tend my sheep." "Feed my sheep." I can only imagine the deep meaning of each of the three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. The first time could be the general "Do you love me" and do you love me above all things and all people? Peter said yes. But then Jesus asked him a second time. This second time may have been an invitation to a deeper reflection on what Jesus was asking of him and what his answer may really mean. "Do you love me?" Peter may have thought about the times when Jesus spoke to them about love and what it requires. Could Peter really live out a life of that kind of love? Peter said "yes." Finally, Jesus' third "Do you love me?" was the ultimate invitation to live a life of true freedom, a life that is focused on the will of the Father, an authentic life which included sacrifices, even the sacrifice of his own life. At this time, Peter may have thought of the times when he encountered Jesus profoundly. Being with Jesus on the mountain with Moses and Elijah when He was transfigured. When he confessed that Jesus was "The Christ, the Son of the Living God," and when Jesus told him that He would build His church on top of him and gave to Peter the keys to the kingdom and the authority and power to bound and loose things here on earth that would have eternal effects. When Peter thought about these moments, he must have felt so loved by the Lord. But then at the same time, the enemy must have been working hard reminding Peter of how much he must have hurt Jesus by betraying Him after all that talk about remaining with Him and dying for Him. Peter looked down in despair. Jesus looked intently at him with a smile. Jesus' smile had reminded Peter of Jesus' love for him when He washed his feet, and thought to himself how good it is that Jesus is with him now. Then looking intently into Jesus' eyes, Peter answered Jesus, "Yes, I do love you." This third answer sealed the deal. The past had been forgiven. Peter had been restored and reinstated. The Church then had a shepherd here on earth who was the representative of Jesus.

Jesus did not mention to Peter what he had done because He knew that they both know what happened and bringing up the past won't change anything. Why dwell on the past when it cannot help to move forward into the future? However, this does not mean that Jesus simply forgot about what happened. It is precisely because both Jesus and Peter knew what happened that made this encounter so powerful. It is in the recognition of the past and the repentance of our sins (the work of the heart and Spirit) that allows us to see the saving power of God's mercy and grace. The Father has the power to transform rejection, denial, guilt, shame and sin into love, mercy, and reconciliation.

Do we use this powerful encounter as the model of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation in our lives? If we are to be followers of Christ, then we must strive to love like him. In loving like Him, we must forgive and we must seek reconciliation. We forgive and we love. Out of that profound experience of forgiveness and reconciliation comes the new life and freedom that Christ promised.

Look at the picture below, I can almost hear Jesus saying to Peter, "It is time to let go of the fish. You must go out to the all the nations and catch men now." What are we holding on to that is preventing us from following Jesus wholeheartedly and unreservedly? Trust that the Father has a plan for you. A plan that far exceeds what you can ever imagine. Ask the Father to help you let go of those attachments and to help you grow in deeper trust in Him.

As Jesus and Peter finished their conversation and encounter, Jesus told Peter the life he would live and the way he would glorify Him in martyrdom. Then, Jesus said one final thing before this part of the conversation was over. It was not something new for he had heard it before. But it was said to be received with a newfound meaning. Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me."

Today, Jesus is extending an invitation to you, asking you, "Do you love me?" "And in loving me, do you love my people? If you love me then you must also love my people. Follow me."

Brothers and sisters, this is a tough question and daunting challenge. But as people of the Resurrection, we must rise to the occasion and say "Yes," fully confident that Jesus will give to us all the graces we will need to live out this "Yes." Let us today and everyday, with sincere humility and dependent trust say to the Lord, "Yes, Lord, I love you. Transform the lies I have come to believe about myself into the love and mercy and reconciliation that will set me free. Teach me to follow You."

The Words that Casts Out All Fear

“But he said to them,

‘It is I. Do not be afraid.’”

John 6:20

After a long day, the disciples went ahead of Jesus, sailing to Capernaum. The winds were blowing, and the skies were dark. After sailing out a good distance, they saw Jesus walking on water and they began to fear and grow afraid. At this Jesus said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid."

When I read and listen to this Gospel passage I am always reminded of times when parents or nurses trying to distract the child as pediatricians are trying to administer vaccinations. The child is scared and anxious, afraid of the pain that the needle will induce while being confused as to who these people are. But the parent or the kind stranger offers comfort, a smile, or a funny story or joke. Sometimes even a tasty treat. All while the pediatrician pinches the child with the needle, injecting a solution that can potentially prevent the child from danger. When all is done sometimes the child doesn't even remember a shot was administered and sometimes he does and tears flow from their eyes, but is comforted by a lollipop or cool treat. This, I feel is what Jesus did with the disciples.

The disciples were sailing out on the sea when winds were picking up and not a single source of light available to guide the way. We can imagine a bit of healthy stress and fear building up. And when Jesus saw this, He appeared to them in a miraculous, awesome way — walking on water! This perhaps distracted the disciples from worrying about the winds and the darkness. But some may say maybe it was Jesus walking on water that induced fear. Either way, once they saw that it was Jesus, their fears were cast out because before they knew it, "the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading" (Jn. 6:21). Just like the child with the vaccination, the disciples' attention was drawn to someone familiar, someone they knew, and someone who they knew would protect them. And so, the wind did not seem to blow that strong or the night that dark anymore, for Jesus was their guide and light.

When we are faced with fears and anxieties, let us remember and believe that Jesus comes to us and walks with us and says to us, "It is I. Do not be afraid." Let us keep out eyes fixed on Jesus, who is our Light and our Peace. Allow the peace that Jesus brings to cast out any fears that reside in your heart and let Him fill it with peace and joy. Let us also trust that just as the painful vaccination has the potential to save someone, so too the storms of our lives that bring us fear and anxiety can teach us great lessons. Whatever it may be, not matter how big or small, Jesus can handle it. Tell Him about it and ask Him to walk with you. Because when Jesus walks with us, the troubled times will be less troubling and before we know it we will have arrived at shore, on solid ground. "It is I. Do not be afraid."

Power of the Ordinary

In today’s Gospel, we hear of John’s account of the feeding the multitudes. Below is an earlier reflection on Luke’s account of the same event. Although some details and wording differ between the two accounts, the overall message is similar. With what is given and offered by the people, Jesus feeds the multitudes with more than enough leftover. I pray the reflection below can give us some food for thought in how we approach our own spiritual lives.

"Give them some food yourselves" Jesus told the Apostles when they asked Him to tell the crowds to go away so that they can go find some food and places to stay. At this the Apostles told Jesus, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people." Jesus then instructed the Apostles to situate and organize the people into groups. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, raised them up to the Father, blessed them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to pass out to the people. All were fed, all 5000 of them, and there were 12 wicker baskets full of leftovers. Wow.

When the Apostles saw that it was getting late and people, including themselves, were getting tired, they suggested to Jesus to dismiss them so that they could go into the village and buy food and find a place to rest for the night. But Jesus challenged them and said "Give them some food yourselves." Jesus was telling the Apostles that they should be feeding them and giving them rest. This reminds me of when sometimes we hear about a tragedy or people going through difficulties we just feel bad and just move on, presuming that someone in better hands might take care of those people. When we feel that we do not have the adequate or necessary means we choose to "pass it on" or "pass it over" to other people, rather than "paying it forward." The Apostles only had five loaves of bread and two fish, enough only for a small group of people, and they figured they won't be able to feed everyone, and they presumed Jesus would agree and would dismiss the people to go find food themselves. But to their surprise, Jesus didn't. Instead, Jesus told them to give them food themselves, with what they have. The Apostles were only thinking of what they themselves could do, for they did not think that it really is God working through them. When the Apostles offered their five loaves and two fish, Jesus took it, blessed it, and broke it, multiplying the offering and transforming it into something the Apostles never thought possible - feeding 5000 with five loaves and two fish with more than enough food. Likewise, when we offer what we have, no matter how little, and give it to Jesus, He will take it to the Father, bless it, and change it into something bigger, something that will meet the needs of those whom we have been called to serve.

We do not have the power to do anything spectacular like what happened with the five loaves and two fish, but Jesus can. And, Jesus works through us, but we must offer what we have, fully confident that He will transform it into something amazing. So, we do not need to be wealthy or well off to do great things. For God created us to do great things, and it is He who does it through us. We only need to do what we can and offer what we have, and God will turn that into something we could never have imagined possible. Today the Lord is challenging us to trust that He will take whatever it is that we have to offer and turn it into something amazing. Will we rise to the occasion?

Father, I can not do anything on my own for all the good that I do is done by You through me. Thank you for choosing me, an imperfect instrument, to bear witness to Your glory and perfection. Teach me and remind me always that I do not need to have all the answers to do something. All I need to do is to do what I can and trust that You will turn that into more than sufficient.