We know that there was an unusual relationship between Jesus and Peter. We know that there were times when Peter seemed to be unable to maintain the various expectations that Jesus had built up for Peter and the other disciples. Because of circumstances and personal weaknesses, Peter, at times, seemed to falter in his fidelity to Jesus. Yet, as we learn from the pen of St. John, especially in the gospel reading of this 3rd Sunday of Easter, Jesus was understanding. He was forgiving.
Listening to a radio interview Saturday evening as I drove to my “temporary” residence, I listened to a very clear presentation of the consequences of the current financial circumstances in family life. I think the theme of the conversation is worthy of some reflection by all of us.
Last Sunday I spoke of the consequences in saying “I believe.” Today I would like to reflect upon the consequences of circumstances in an individual’s life that impact the life of his or her family. Perhaps that are not too many who have taken the time to see beyond or beneath the personal, psychological damage that has been, is and will be impacting the structure of the family. Across this land of our’s, millions are the families where the loss of a job or dramatic personal financial savings have great damaged the relationships within a family. While adults may fully understand there was no intent in by either or both spouses losing their jobs, younger members of the family may well be undergoing a process where the integrity of either or both parents is undermined. Where very large houses with the latest in all the electronics that seem to make up the 21st century have been lost. Changes in educational venues have become necessary because both parents and many academic institutions have seem savings and investments melt in the heat of the financial crisis.
Well do I remember my father’s mistrust of the American banking system because he had to endure along with his sibling sister and 18 cousins almost dire poverty during and after the Great American Depression. Likewise in recent months I have heard the stories of so many wonderful parents who have lost everything. All that their children had learned about the great American dream whether the children had named their experience that or, perhaps more simply, just living the good life, today their is disbelief with Dad or Mom say “No. We cannot afford that now.” Or something like this: “No, we cannot go to the ocean for two weeks this year because Daddy’s business closed down and he only has a job three days a week.”
Mom and Dad can easily say to one another or to their children, “Oh, I am so sorry we cannot give you what your are asking for.” Yet, how many will truly understand all that the parent is saying?
Today parents and young people have to work together to strengthen the parent or parents who have lost job or who have seen their savings and investment accounts dwindle to nothing but debt are now faced with a serious psychological and spiritual problem. It is the American way when something is taken away from an individual to find a scapegoat to carry the blame for the seeming failure.
The gospel points to several of Peter’s foibles that could have cost him the trust and support of Jesus. In our world the expressions of sorry, each asking for some degree of forgiveness, do not always succeed. Peter went fishing because he was finding it difficult to live with himself, because of his failures. Nevertheless, throughout his apostolic life, Peter was brought face-to-face with the need to seek with great hope the forgiving love of Jesus.
For us today, when we stop and consider how deeply the changes that came about so rapidly in our country and the way so many lived their lives, we might recall this part of John’s gospel. Our current dilemma that has hurt so many families can be a time when we, like Jesus, do all that we can to express support and trust where all that was no longer exists. Jesus provides us with a suggested way of living that is quite appropriate for our society today.
