It seems to me that today's readings show Peter as rather stubborn and impulsive, don't they? He disobeys the Sanhedrin (Acts 5), and jumps out of the boat to see Jesus (Jn 21).
I read somewhere that we are all called to be stubborn and impulsive, when the circumstances call for that kind of behaviour. When we Catholics think of Peter, our first instinct is to think of him as "the first Pope." However, lots of things came before that position of special leadership! After all-who else do you know that would jump into the water fully clothed; who else did Jesus call a "Satan"; who else denied Jesus three times; who else was unsure about relations with Gentiles and had to be kicked in the behind by St. Paul; who else tried walking on water; who else takes action without thinking?
This is the one Jesus chose to lead his Church? Yes, and we are fortunate to see those characteristics in the pre-Pentecost Peter. He was willing to take action, even without thinking, when Jesus was involved. He didn't wait until a theological thesis had been developed to weigh all the arguments for and against a situation; he simply acted! Of course, sometimes his haste resulted in correctable decisions, as he discovered through his colleague St. Paul.
But the overriding message is that the Easter faith is spread only by those who take action. If everyone were to "wait," there wouldn't be many conversions from pagan beliefs! Some would not hear the Good News at all. Baptism is our first "jump into the water" of missionary activity. It empowers us with Jesus' own Spirit to take action, to spread the Good News; and we renew our baptismal promises every Easter. Ask yourself: "How have I been living out my Sacrament and the responsibilities that flow from discipleship?"
Friends, on his the first Sunday after Easter let’s look at a few questions to consider during this week. The Church - that's you and me - is the seed for establishing the Kingdom of God; what have you been doing with your seed? The presence of Christ continues in his disciples, his mystical body. Does the Body of Christ suffer because you are withholding the gifts that they need? Are you willing to "get your feet wet" for the sake of the kingdom?.
I read somewhere that we are all called to be stubborn and impulsive, when the circumstances call for that kind of behaviour. When we Catholics think of Peter, our first instinct is to think of him as "the first Pope." However, lots of things came before that position of special leadership! After all-who else do you know that would jump into the water fully clothed; who else did Jesus call a "Satan"; who else denied Jesus three times; who else was unsure about relations with Gentiles and had to be kicked in the behind by St. Paul; who else tried walking on water; who else takes action without thinking?
This is the one Jesus chose to lead his Church? Yes, and we are fortunate to see those characteristics in the pre-Pentecost Peter. He was willing to take action, even without thinking, when Jesus was involved. He didn't wait until a theological thesis had been developed to weigh all the arguments for and against a situation; he simply acted! Of course, sometimes his haste resulted in correctable decisions, as he discovered through his colleague St. Paul.
But the overriding message is that the Easter faith is spread only by those who take action. If everyone were to "wait," there wouldn't be many conversions from pagan beliefs! Some would not hear the Good News at all. Baptism is our first "jump into the water" of missionary activity. It empowers us with Jesus' own Spirit to take action, to spread the Good News; and we renew our baptismal promises every Easter. Ask yourself: "How have I been living out my Sacrament and the responsibilities that flow from discipleship?"
Friends, on his the first Sunday after Easter let’s look at a few questions to consider during this week. The Church - that's you and me - is the seed for establishing the Kingdom of God; what have you been doing with your seed? The presence of Christ continues in his disciples, his mystical body. Does the Body of Christ suffer because you are withholding the gifts that they need? Are you willing to "get your feet wet" for the sake of the kingdom?.
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