Breaking the Word

7^th week in Easter Time, Friday – 3^rd June 2022 — Gospel: Jn 21,15-19

Amazing Plan

Risen Jesus’ encounter with Peter opens up a new beginning. Jesus forgives and encourages Peter as he had done many times before. He had no intention of letting Peter’s past sins or weaknesses change the mission he had for him. The confidence that Jesus’ encounter with Peter gives is that after every failure or mistake, one must respond to his single question: “Do you love me more than these?” Is Jesus asking whether Peter loves him more than these fish or more than his profession? Is he asking if Peter loves him more than he loves his companions? Or is Jesus asking whether Peter loves him more than his other disciples love him? All three must be true. Peter must have loved Jesus more than he loved other people or his fishing business. He did love Jesus more than the others because he was willing to render extraordinary sacrifice on behalf of his master. For despite Peter’s own betrayals, blunders, and mistakes Jesus has an amazing plan for Peter. He doesn’t judge by the past mistakes, but he sees into our hearts. He sees our potential, and our love.

7^th week in Easter Time, Thursday – 2nd June 2022 — Gospel: Jn 17,20-26

Unity Not Uniformity

Jesus not only prays for the disciples gathered around him but also for all future believers who do not yet know him.  He prays for the unity of all disciples, “that they may be one”. This prayer of Jesus contains the word “one” four times in three verses (vv.21-23). The unity among disciples for which Jesus prays has nothing to do with uniformity. Because genuine internal unity is so difficult to achieve, the Church often settles for some kind of uniformity. But the unity that comes through love for one another requires that individual people be true to their uniqueness. Diversity is the hallmark of a unified community. The genuine unity for which Jesus prayed is not conformity of ideas, but a community united in love, characterized by trust, and healed by forgiveness. This unity will be not only a source of fulfillment for believers, but it will be a powerful witness to the world. Jesus says, its purpose is to confirm his mission and the love of the Father.