21st Sunday of Ordinary Time [B]


21ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B]


In our second reading this weekend (Eph. 5:21-32) we hear some particulars concerning the bond of marriage. Of course we know it’s a very serious undertaking when a groom and bride exchange their vows. An old Herman comic strip depicts a groom being chastised by the minister: You’re supposed to say I DO; not I’LL TRY. The groom senses up front that this venture will involve a significant measure of challenge. 


You could say something similar about a commitment that’s being made to the Lord. It’s going to involve a considerable amount of sacrifice and effort. The commitment being made by Joshua will stand the test of time. It’s firm and solid. As for the Israelites, their profession will not stand the test of time. The words come across as sincere (see Joshua 24:16-24). But if you read what follows in the Book of Judges, the narrative takes on a tone of profound disappointment. By way of metaphor, simply imagine the huffing and puffing of the Big Bad Wolf. The Israelite profession crumbles, while the profession made by Joshua endures. 


Meanwhile, in our Gospel passage, the spotlight shifts to Simon Peter. He observes a steady stream of people turning away from The Master. They refuse to accept his message concerning the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Will Peter join them? Instead of walking away, Peter solemnly declares: The words of everlasting life are being spoken to us; we have nowhere else to turn (John 6:68-69). In other words, he’s making a commitment. Will it be a solid commitment? Will it bear up against the huffing and the puffing? Or will it come apart at the seams? 


Keep in mind that if you’re one of the pigs, you have to get it right the first time. Either you get it right the first time or not at all. What we learn from Peter is that we don’t have to get it right the first time. Or the second, or the third, etcetera. He eventually does get it right. Spend some time in the Book of Acts and you will encounter the fully developed Peter, a Peter who blooms—even if belatedly. After a series of failures, a series of false starts, he finally reaches what could be called a pattern of saintly behavior. 


How do we explain this? It’s rather simple: he keeps working at it. Even after the humiliation of Holy Week, he brings himself back into the presence of the Lord. We don’t hear anything about a reprimand. There is no berating of Peter. This is not Jesus coming down hard on Peter. It’s all about looking within. Where are you at, in terms of love? Have you reached the Greek ideal of agape love? If not, are you prepared to keep working at it? Peter indicates yes. And that’s enough for Jesus (see John 21:15-19). It’s a level of commitment that strengthens over the course of time. Judas had his path. Peter will choose his own path. He’s going to keep at it, no matter how many embarrassments he might have to suffer. We need to take his example to heart. You won’t get there by adopting a spirit of despair. Conversely, if you keep at it, you’ll become what Matthew Kelly refers to as “The Best Version of Yourself.”   

 

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