There are many ways to see a person, from social to profoundly intimate relationships. We can also know a lot about a person, but that doesn’t mean we know them personally.
We know the difference between reading a biography about a person, meeting that person in some social gathering, and living and sharing everything deeply with that person for years. The latter is the relationship that Jesus seeks to have with each of us. How deeply did Peter know Jesus when he proclaimed Him the Christ, God’s Anointed One?
Would we not react like Peter did when we saw Jesus’ miracles? When Jesus spoke about God, his words penetrated right into his heart. Peter experienced this every day for three years.
We could say that much of the time during Jesus’ public ministry, Peter was on Mount Tabor, seeing the glorious Jesus at work. Jesus knew that Peter and his disciples did not know Him because they had not experienced the depth of his merciful love for them in their sinfulness. For St. Peter, this occurred between the denial of Jesus in the courtyard and Easter morning when Jesus forgave him.
Do you remember that question after Jesus rose from the dead? “Peter, do you love me?” The mercy we experience from the good heart of another person connects us with them on levels only love can understand.
We find out who the Lord is when we can stand before him and say, “I’m sorry.” And we know He comes back to us like He did Peter and says, “I love you. I will always love you.”
So much of our culture and society want to medicate, pretend, and run away from the mercy that will make us whole. It is freeing to stand before Jesus and say with heart and tears, “I never meant to hurt you so much.”
Gospel Challenge:
As he told Simon the Pharisee after he forgave Mary Magdalene in the Pharisees’ home, “It is the one who is forgiven much that loves much.” How much do I love Jesus? Dare I walk with Him down that road of mercy? Ask St Peter to intercede for you. He understands.
May 12, 2026, John 16:5-11 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051226.cfm “Grief Has Filled Your Hearts.” Sometimes out of the blue, we bring to mind a moment when we lost
May 11, 2026, John 15:26-16:4ahttps://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051126.cfm No More Waiting Anyone who has undergone a shoulder or knee replacement understands that it doesn’toccur instantly. Often, doctors explore
Mother’s Day May 5, 2026, John 15:12-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050826.cfm Choosing to Love Every Wednesday, our Holy Father, Pope Leo, has a general audience in Rome. Recently,
May 9, 2026, John 15:18-21 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050926 Opposition I recall hearing a candidate in a local documentary state that the Catholic Church is very close-minded on
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Friday, 25th Week in Ordinary Time
September 27, 2024, Luke 9:18-22
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092724.cfm
How Much Do I Love Jesus?
There are many ways to see a person, from social to profoundly intimate relationships. We can also know a lot about a person, but that doesn’t mean we know them personally.
We know the difference between reading a biography about a person, meeting that person in some social gathering, and living and sharing everything deeply with that person for years. The latter is the relationship that Jesus seeks to have with each of us. How deeply did Peter know Jesus when he proclaimed Him the Christ, God’s Anointed One?
Would we not react like Peter did when we saw Jesus’ miracles? When Jesus spoke about God, his words penetrated right into his heart. Peter experienced this every day for three years.
We could say that much of the time during Jesus’ public ministry, Peter was on Mount Tabor, seeing the glorious Jesus at work. Jesus knew that Peter and his disciples did not know Him because they had not experienced the depth of his merciful love for them in their sinfulness. For St. Peter, this occurred between the denial of Jesus in the courtyard and Easter morning when Jesus forgave him.
Do you remember that question after Jesus rose from the dead? “Peter, do you love me?” The mercy we experience from the good heart of another person connects us with them on levels only love can understand.
We find out who the Lord is when we can stand before him and say, “I’m sorry.” And we know He comes back to us like He did Peter and says, “I love you. I will always love you.”
So much of our culture and society want to medicate, pretend, and run away from the mercy that will make us whole. It is freeing to stand before Jesus and say with heart and tears, “I never meant to hurt you so much.”
Gospel Challenge:
As he told Simon the Pharisee after he forgave Mary Magdalene in the Pharisees’ home, “It is the one who is forgiven much that loves much.” How much do I love Jesus? Dare I walk with Him down that road of mercy? Ask St Peter to intercede for you. He understands.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
Pastor@bscchurch.com
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