Restoration and Clarification

The dialogue between Jesus and Peter in the passage from John’s Gospel in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today is the marvelous restoration and forgiveness of Peter by Jesus after the betrayal and denial of Jesus on Good Friday. Just as Peter had denied Jesus (3) times, Jesus asks for confirmation of Peter’s love 3 times. Jesus mission to Peter is emphasized and Peter is reminded that the disciple is also one who lives and dies like Jesus in response to the will of the Father. Peter, who is always the model of a very human person and every human person is continuously restored, renewed and refocused in relationship with Jesus. We hear the direction of Jesus and the know the compassion of Jesus through Peter.