Consecrated in truth -part ii

Peter

Continuing from yesterday’s blog (click here to read), there is one passage from the apparitions of the Risen Lord which can be read along with the gospel passage of consecrated in truth.

Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.” (Jn 17, 17–19)

Jesus comes and ask the same question, three times to Peter, “do you love me ?” Three is quite symbolic as Peter denied three times too. Jesus had every right to give him a “pep talk” mentioning about his unfaithfulness, fear and so on; this would have helped in the growth of his already aggravated feelings of guilt and shame. “Probably” it could have brought a transformation. But Jesus doesn’t take that route.

Instead Jesus takes a non-conventional route, a route which he preached during his preaching days. He is asking Peter, of his love for Jesus. If we take Jesus as fully human and divine, its a question on both the commandments. And Peter gives a positive response to the question of loving Jesus. The transformation and healing are not through shame and guilt, but through rooting the person in love.