It is kind of appropriate that as we await the election of a new Holy Father the gospel this Sunday largely features the Lord Jesus and Peter.

Peter is one of my heroes. He is inspired by the Holy Spirit to be the first who correctly identify who Jesus is. In this Jesus makes Peter first among the Apostles. However he often gets carried away by his enthusiasm. Most notably, before the passion of the Lord, he tells Jesus that he will willingly die for him. Shortly afterwards he denies Jesus three times, and in one gospel it is inferred that Jesus actually hears him do this when he turns and looks at Peter after the third denial. Peter is devastated and we are told that he goes out and weeps bitter tears. Personally, there have been times when I have wept over my sins and weakness, so I can identify with Peter at that moment of shame.

But Peter shows us how to come through weakness and fragility. We see in the Acts of the Apostles that he is transformed from being uncertain and fearful to being a dynamic leader who is absolutely committed to spreading the gospel. He is indeed the key to establishing Christ’s church on earth, just a Jesus said he would be. Peter is a sign to all of us of the transformative power of grace if we let the Holy Spirit into our hearts and souls. Before this, however, we see how this week Jesus mirrors Peter’s three denials with three simple questions, “do you love me”; as Peter denied Jesus three times he confirms his love three times and he is healed of his betrayal. We too are healed when we come to Jesus in confession. The act of going to confession is a deep act of faith in Jesus where just by being there we say “Lord you know everything (about me), you know that I love you”.

In a sense Catholics, with our recognition of the Pope as our Holy Father and the successor of Peter, are the spiritual descendants of Peter. So let us pray that we will have a new chief shepherd on earth soon.

O God, eternal shepherd,

who govern your flock with unfailing care,

grant in your boundless fatherly love

a pastor for your Church

who will please you by his holiness

and to us show watchful care.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Of course, also continue to pray for the repose of our dear Pope Francis.

By total coincidence I am in Rome from Monday to Friday next week. Please be assured of my prayers for your needs and intentions at the holy sites.

Fr Chris