CHRIST’S RESURRECTION POWER IN THE FAITH COMMUNITY.
The resurrection power of Christ over the devil, evil, sins and death is actively alive in the faith community. The post-resurrection or Pentecostal faith community lived out and witnessed the Risen Christ’s power amidst persecution.
POST-RESURRECTION FAITH COMMUNITY AFTER CHRIST
Similarly, the lives of the early believers or Christians in the post-resurrection and the post-Pentecost era were lived in a strong community. The risen Christ was experienced more in the Christian community, and the power of the Holy Spirit was felt more in the believers’ community.
OUR THEME: FAITH COMMUNITY
Today’s Gospel narrative shows us the rehabilitation of Peter, who denied Jesus three times in the courtyard of Caiaphas, repented, and then received Primacy in the Church from Jesus. The Gospel also shows us God in search of man, even when man tries to evade Him.
The community of faith of Jesus’ apostles and disciples stands out as a profound theme in our post-resurrection readings. The frustrated, disappointed, and depressed community found living hope in Christ’s presence. Thus, they face persecution with courage and faith. They bore unwavering testimony to the Risen Christ through their daily actions of fellowship, prayer, and so on.
FIRST READING: ACTS 5:27-32, 40 – 41
In the first reading, the apostles and disciples, convinced of the power of the Risen Christ and the Holy Spirit, suffer willingly and gladly without losing focus. They believed their obedience to God comes first, before any allegiance to human beings, authorities or structures.
Glaringly, the first reading also witnesses the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection over Simon Peter. He took a public and open stand for God rather than men. One fundamental question for us is: can we take a stand for Christ publicly and privately like Peter without fear or favour to anyone or anything?
PETER’S TRANSFORMATION AND TESTIMONY
Peter’s person and personality are good points to reflect upon during this third week of Eastertide. In the post-resurrected community, we see the resurrection power at work, changing and transforming everything about him.
1. The coward who denied Christ three times before maids now took a public and open stand for God rather than men. Acts 5:27-32, 40-41
2. The negative and uncertain man became a convinced announcer of the good news with certainty.
SECOND READING: REVELATION 5: 11 – 14
Apostle John in Revelation 5 11 – 14 encouraged the early Christian communities to be faithful and to remain focused on the Risen Christ. The Lamb who was slain to receive all power, riches, wisdom, strength, might, honour, glory and blessing. Accordingly, only God in Christ Jesus, the Lamb, merit our praises and commitment.
The reading expresses the praises and worship rendered to the risen Christ, worthy of the Lamb of God. As such, the Blessedness is for him and all those who give a living testimony or take the public stand with Jesus.
The book of Revelation (the Apocalypse) presents John’s vision of the Risen Lord as the glorified “Lamb of God,” enthroned in Heaven.
The whole of Revelation expresses Christian hope in the Risen Lord. Hence, John declares: Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honour, glory, and blessing!
Hence, the Blessedness of Christ is for Peter and all those who live a Christian testimony or publicly take a stand with Jesus. Revelation 5:11-14
THE GOSPEL: JOHN 21 1-19
In today’s gospel, John 21 1-19, the frustrated community of the apostles and disciples, headed by Peter, returned to their old way of living or profession. Their effort was a total failure until the presence of the risen Christ changed their story of failure to success.
This living presence enriches their communal life through a shared breakfast prepared by the Lord himself. Finally, Jesus’ dialogue with Peter restores him to grace, peace and friendship without any allusion to his past.
Jesus demanded love while Peter could only ¨like or care¨ for him. Understandingly, Jesus came to Peter´s level or capacity to ¨like¨ or ¨care¨ for him, more to love him.
1. Personal, familial, ecclesial, pastoral and communitarian successes are due to the divine interventions or presence of the Risen and Victorious Christ.
2. God is sensitive to our plights, pains and frustrations. He always relieves us of heavy burdens.
3. Christ himself, who prepares and invites us to the Eucharistic meal, where we are nourished and strengthened to bear witness to Him.
4. Christ understands our capacity to love and be committed to God. He never goes beyond our limit and strength.
PETER, DO YOU LOVE ME?
There are interesting uses of the word “love” in this text. In English, when Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” and Peter answers, “Yes, I love you,” it makes good sense. However, in the Greek original of the New Testament, Peter’s reply does not exactly address the question Jesus asked.
Greek has several words to express various levels of affection. In his book The Four Loves, he Belfast-born author C.S. Lewis described them as follows:
THE FOUR LOVES IN GREEK
FIRST: STORGÉ
There is Storgé (affection), the quiet liking you might feel for a cheerful neighbour whom you meet from time to time.
SECOND: EROS,
Then there is eros, a sensual or erotic love, the love that unites a couple and often leads to marriage.
THIRD: PHILIA
Another term is Philia, or friendship, a trusting companionship with people with whom we share some real interest.
FOUR: AGAPÉ
Finally, there is Agapé, which means generous, self-giving love, which we value even when there is nothing tangible to be gained.
CHRIST’S DEMAND OF PETER
Back to our gospel story. Jesus asks Peter, “Agapas me, Do you have agapé for me?” meaning “Do you love me enough to risk everything for me.”
Peter has not lived up to this kind of love. He had disowned Jesus to save his own skin. So what can he say? He answers, “Philo se. Yes, Lord, I love you as a friend.” He was saying, “Yes, I admire you… But I was unable to risk my life for you.”
Jesus asks him a second time, “Agapas me?” and again Peter answers at the level of friendship (philia). Finally, unwilling to embarrass him further, Jesus asks him, “Are you really my friend?” (Phileis me?) And Peter answers, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I am your friend.” (σὺ γινώσκεις ὅτι φιλῶ σε.)
Jesus accepts Peter just as he is; even friendship (philia) is good enough, for now. Fullness of agapé would come later, when Peter was put to death for the faith.
Jesus’ encounters with Peter in the gospel are a faith experience of the Risen Lord, working through his imperfections, weaknesses, and negativities to bring healing, restoration, and affirmation to the new faith community.
LOVELY THOUGHT IN THE GOSPEL
- Peter’s frustration and the disciples’ despondency over the unclear resurrection of Christ
- They embraced their old profession: fishing, with compounded frustration at not catching fish.
- The Risen Christ met them in their utter failure, disappointment and frustration. Jesus’ intervention in the “seemingly hopeless” situations changed everything for good.
- The silent whisper of John the beloved, “It is the Lord” Peter’s longing and reaction to John’s whisper to meet Christ may be to apologise or explain his denial.
- Christ knows Peter’s sense of remorse, hence he does not rebuke him for his denial.
- Instead, Christ’s response to a “downcast” friend was one of trust and encouragement.
- Christ had breakfast already for them. Dear friends, imagine a God who prepares breakfast for his followers
Oh! God, I truly need a friend like you who can prepare breakfast, trust, and encourage me despite my constant failure and betrayal of your love, mercy and goodness.
OUR PRAYER
Lord, Peter’s journey of faith with its innocence, unquiet, outbursts, struggles, failures, shame, strengths, and affirmations is also our faith journey. May Peter’s example help us bring our negative faith experience and life to God for healing, strengthening, and a gradual transformation. So today, I join Peter to confess I love you, Lord; help my lack of deep love. Amen!
