From the Pastor
Fr. Mike Comer shares his thoughts on Scripture, spirituality and the challenges of living the Gospel.
a moment of grace and reconciliation
May 4, 2025
I have always found the Gospel for this Sunday to be very moving, probably because of my own sinfulness I can imaging Jesus asking me if I love Him or not. All too often, I have given Him good reason to question me on that.
Peter, of course, had denied Jesus three times while Jesus was on trial for His life. Although Peter was full of good intentions, when the chips were down, and it looked like he could be the next arrested and charged, he panicked and denied his friendship with Jesus. In the Passion account that we read Palm Sunday, we are told that after he had denied Jesus for the third time, Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Can you imagine how that glance pierced Peter’s heart and the regret and sorrow and humiliation that he felt?
After His resurrection, Jesus and Peter had been around one another, but they had never really worked through Peter’s failure. Jesus knew that there was a need for healing, and so in the Gospel today, He made that healing happen. The Apostles were back in Galilee fishing, and when Peter realized that Jesus was on the shore, he jumped into the water and swam to Jesus.
Peter, of course, had denied Jesus three times while Jesus was on trial for His life. Although Peter was full of good intentions, when the chips were down, and it looked like he could be the next arrested and charged, he panicked and denied his friendship with Jesus. In the Passion account that we read Palm Sunday, we are told that after he had denied Jesus for the third time, Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Can you imagine how that glance pierced Peter’s heart and the regret and sorrow and humiliation that he felt?
After His resurrection, Jesus and Peter had been around one another, but they had never really worked through Peter’s failure. Jesus knew that there was a need for healing, and so in the Gospel today, He made that healing happen. The Apostles were back in Galilee fishing, and when Peter realized that Jesus was on the shore, he jumped into the water and swam to Jesus.
Jesus took Peter aside, and asked him, “Peter, do you love Me?” “Lord, you know that I love You.” “Feed my lambs.” This refers to Peter’s unique role as head of the Church. Again, Jesus asked, “Peter, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord, you know that I love You.” “Tend my sheep.” A third time Jesus asked, “Peter, do you love Me?” We are told that Peter is hurt that Jesus asked a third time. Despite his failure, he does love Jesus, above anyone else in the world. “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love You.” “Feed my sheep.”
Perhaps Peter felt that Jesus was going to take away his position of trust and authority because of his denials, but that was not what Jesus had in mind. Three times He let Peter know that he was still His chosen disciple.
If Jesus asked you and me, “Do you love Me?” for every time we had failed Him and turned our back on Him, and let Him down, how many times would He have to ask us? We have all failed Jesus, and we need to reconcile with Christ. Jesus has given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where we can go to confess our failings, and ask Him for forgiveness. Jesus’ mercy is without limit. He restores us to our place in the Father’s house, just as He did the Prodigal Son.
—Fr. Mike Comer
Perhaps Peter felt that Jesus was going to take away his position of trust and authority because of his denials, but that was not what Jesus had in mind. Three times He let Peter know that he was still His chosen disciple.
If Jesus asked you and me, “Do you love Me?” for every time we had failed Him and turned our back on Him, and let Him down, how many times would He have to ask us? We have all failed Jesus, and we need to reconcile with Christ. Jesus has given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where we can go to confess our failings, and ask Him for forgiveness. Jesus’ mercy is without limit. He restores us to our place in the Father’s house, just as He did the Prodigal Son.
—Fr. Mike Comer
