Easter Time 03 - April 22, 2007
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing" (Revelation 5,12). With these words all the creatures adore our Lord and Saviour Jesus! We unite to this solemn song that joins us with all people. We recognize that the sacrificed Lamb is spring of our life and of our joy, of communion with our brothers and with the whole world! Jesus' sacrifice and death is the night which prepared and preceded the wonderful light of his resurrection. He is alive, he is sitting beside God. He reigns with him in a loving way. That's why we praise him, we bless him without stopping and without getting tired. We recognize his authority on our life, on our thoughts, on our desires, on our friendships, on our projects and on our (little or great) politics.
Peter and the (other) apostles supported joyfully offenses, slanders and floggings for having given wisdom and honor to their Lord. They continued joyfully without getting frightened by the people's menaces. They are examples we have to remember when we are attacked by obvious or hidden hostility which is always present against the faith in Jesus, it doesn't matter where it is lived.
The apostles enjoyed suffering for the name of their Lord: they had the strength and the Humility to do it. All of them were with Peter answering Jesus' question: "Do you love me?" There is one answer only. When the question is repeated, it begins to make us think about the effects of a "yes". We doubt whether our love is sincere or not. When the question is repeated for the third time, we try to remember what has happened before, whether we had done something without love or against the love of the Lord.
We are sure Jesus continues to ask his question while we are waiting to answer: first of all we correct our intention. We change our orientation. We eliminate the egoistic feelings that dominate us nearly without being conscious. Then we say joyfully: "Yes, I love you, Jesus!" We can say it to him, but always in a humbly way (humility that knows the need of growing and maturing in love - humility that knows the need of being corrected and guided). "Yes, I love you, Jesus. Please continue to suggest me how I can really love you, not only with words but with facts. Correct my feelings, please, for not succumb the vanity of the world. I don't need to be the first of all. I love you, Lord Jesus, but you watch my love, please. It shouldn't stop nor get weaker, it shouldn't delude myself to be complete and enduring."
Jesus likes our answers even if imperfect. Every time we say to him that we
love him, he believes us and he gives us a ministry in his church. Nobody will
remain a spectator. Who remains a spectator in the church gets critical of his
brothers, gets lazy, does not love anybody, neither Jesus. Jesus gave to Peter
the ministry of pasture: that means guiding, nurturing, warning in case of danger
and defending, uniting and finding rest for the sheep. He wants us his collaborators.
Begin you also by listening the person in charge by Jesus for you. This way
the voice of the Lord will reach you, and you will spend your energies for his
kingdom and his holy church!