Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
There is a difference between a pick-up basketball player and an NBA player. A person who tickles the ivories from time to time will never become a concert pianist. One merely dabbles at something; the other devotes the time and energy necessary to know a thing thoroughly.
Many of Jesus’ disciples were having difficulty with his teaching about his flesh being real food and his blood being real drink. To them it sounded like cannibalism. Instead of wanting to understand what was really being taught, they chose to return to their former way of life because it was more familiar, less demanding.
Peter, however, did not budge. He believed and was convinced that Jesus was the Holy One of God. [Granted, he denied Christ three times later on (John 18: 17, 25, 27), so he still had a few things yet to learn.] He had been chosen by Jesus. He witnessed the preaching and the miracles. He may not have fully understood the talk about the body and the blood, but he trusted that Jesus would enlighten him.
Aeneas (who was paralyzed) and Tabitha (who was dead) were but two persons healed by the Holy Spirit working through Peter. Over the centuries the Catholic Church, built on Rock (Peter), has guided many souls to believe that Christ is truly the Messiah.
May Pope Leo XIV be a worthy successor of Peter.
Reflection by Br. Jacob Kubajak, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections