Q U I C K S C A N

What does Peter’s denial of Jesus tell us?
Should sin keep us from prayer?

Readers reflect on Friar Jack’s musings

by Friar Jim Van Vurst, O.F.M.

Recall the powerful scene in the Gospel of John (Ch. 21) following Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. It takes place on the Sea of Tiberias. The apostles are fishing, and they spot Jesus on the shore and quickly return to shore to see him. Jesus, in turn, takes some of the fish they had caught and serves them breakfast, a clear allusion to the Eucharist. (Remember, the early Christian secret sign for Jesus was a fish.)

Following that meal, Jesus asked Peter this question: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” On one hand, we expect Jesus to ask this question of Peter. On the other hand, many people wonder not so much at the question itself but how Peter would dare to answer: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Is this an honest answer? Does he really love Jesus?

What does Peter’s denial of Jesus tell us?

After Peter’s sorry performance in the courtyard of the high priest where Jesus had been taken, we wonder how Peter had the gumption (some might say the gall) to answer that he loves Jesus. Peter was the first disciple called by Jesus, the one whom Jesus chose to lead the Church (“You are Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church”). But Peter was also the one who had the nerve to claim hours before at the Last Supper that while other might fail Jesus, he surely would not. Peter guaranteed his fidelity, but deny Jesus is exactly what he did. Not once or twice—but three times.

But beyond Peter’s denying his knowledge, let alone friendship, of Jesus, Peter actually took an oath, calling on God to witness his statement: “He began to curse and swear, ‘I do not know the man.’” (Mt 26:72). Peter gave perjured testimony. We may say that while Judas’s sin was the worst in human history, surely Peter’s was a close second.

And Jesus still came to Peter to ask him if he loves him—three times, no less. And he didn’t say that Peter was grudgingly accepted again, or that Peter was reduced to the least of the apostles. He kept telling Peter to feed his lambs and feed his sheep. We might say that Peter got off lucky, but that would not be correct at all. Jesus loved Peter, knew he was weak and knew he would fall flat on his face. And yet he never stopped loving Peter. By falling, Peter finally awoke from his feelings of self-sufficiency and pride. He knew he could do nothing if he ever relied totally on himself. He must, instead, rely on Jesus.

Should sin keep us from prayer?

I bring up this issue because so many feel that they cannot sincerely or rightly say to the Lord, “I love you, Lord, with all my heart,” when they have sinned or see themselves as imperfect. They falsely conclude that until they get themselves straightened out, they dare not approach the Lord. After all, they are unworthy of God’s love.

But I think Peter would cry out to us, “Don’t you believe it. Look at me. You did nothing compared to what I did.” And it is true. Even in a time of sin in our lives, we can say with all our heart, “Lord, I love you.” We can and should say that, not because we are sinless. We say it because God is sinless and loves us with an infinite love. God is big enough to handle our sins no matter what. In fact, in the midst of sin, praying to the Lord is the best way to repent, to change and to turn a corner. And let’s face it, there are a lot corners in our lives.

We are not being hypocritical if we profess our love to the Lord in times of sin. That is the most important time to pray. It is an act of faith in God’s mercy as well as courage on our part when we see who we really are.

Remember when, after the miraculous catch of fish, Peter fell at Jesus’ feet and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful” (Lk 5:8). Peter had Jesus going in the wrong direction. He should have said, “Lord, come to me, for I am a sinful man.” Peter teaches us an important lesson: When we feel most unworthy, most sinful and most discouraged, we should express our love for God. After all, how would you treat a child who had sinned and yet came to you with an honest and sincere heart and said, ”Mom, Dad, I’m sorry. I love you with all my heart”? You know what you would do.

Friar Jack’s Inbox

Readers respond to Friar Jack’s musings on “The Cause of Father Solanus Casey (Continued).”

Dear Friar Jack: Thanks for the article on Father Solanus. I knew him and met him three or four times—a very ordinary monk. I expected a “saint”—a foolish expectation on my part. Don

Dear Don: I did not get a whole lot of e-mail responses to my piece on Father Solanus, maybe because it came out on July 2, right before the 4th of July, which is a popular time for people to be on vacation. So I was happy to get your response even though it was a bit cryptic and puzzling. I may be wrong, but my interpretation of your “foolish expectation" that Father Solanus would seem like a “saint” suggested that in your experience “saints” are often down-to-earth people in many ways and have their share of quirks. And that's how you found Father Solanus. Whatever the case, I’m happy that you wrote.

I received two other e-mails indicating that the E-spiration on Father Solanus Casey has made an impact on our readers. One was from Helen, a member of the Secular Franciscan Order in Ohio, who was interested in making a pilgrimage to the Solanus Casey Center in Detroit with other Secular Franciscans. We suggested that she call the Center in Detroit at (313) 579-2100 and seek information on how to arrange such a tour. We were also happy to learn that our Father Solanus story was picked up by a blog called Catholic Mom Moments by Lisa Hendy. Her site also repeated the schedule of upcoming television programs on EWTN regarding the life of Father Solanus Casey. Friar Jack

Send your feedback to friarjack@americancatholic.org.

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