+Dear Saint David Parishioners,
Happy third Sunday of Easter! In today’s Gospel, we know that, like Peter, we mess up and sin plenty of times. We realize, that on the night before Jesus died, Peter denied Jesus three times. We also recognize that Peter regretted telling others he didn’t even know his dear friend, Jesus, because after denying Him, Peter went out and cried bitterly. Jesus in asking Peter three times did he love Him wasn’t trying to berate Peter and make him feel worse than he already did. Jesus was aware of Peter’s deep sorrow, and in asking Peter did he love Him, was guiding Peter to understand that His love and mercy are stronger than any sin he or we could ever commit. This realization not only humbled proud Peter but, with Jesus’ forgiveness, strengthened him for his new mission of leading the Church.
When we acknowledge our sins and shortcomings before the Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are given God’s grace to strengthen us as we begin again. This is why we pray, “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours.” We cannot do it alone, but only with God’s grace in us. Therefore, our faith should fill us with hope!
With these truths in mind, the greatest way we can deepen our relationship with our Redeemer is by receiving His very Body, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist. Participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, reading Jesus’ words in the Gospels, spending time with Him in daily prayer, praying the rosary with family and friends, or sitting silently in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament are additional means to strengthen our relationship with Jesus. By incorporating these practices into our lives, we, like Peter, may answer Jesus as He asks each of us individually, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.” Jesus will then invite us, “Follow Me.” Bishop Barron’s reflection on this Gospel tells us, “The test of love is action. Are we willing to do what Jesus did? Are we willing to go on a mission on His behalf?”
In Mary’s Immaculate Heart, I am,
Sister Mary