Third Sunday of Easter [C]


THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER [C]


QUASIMODO. We get introduced to this name in an 1831 work written by the French author, Victor Hugo. The title of the novel is The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Early on we learn that the hunchback has been given a name: Quasimodo, which means “half-made.”  If he was fully made, or completely made, then his back would not be “hunched.” He would not be afflicted with a deformity. At least, that’s what the name Quasimodo seems to imply. 


The Peter we encounter initially can likewise be described as half-made. However, in his case, there is a degree of hope. Quasimodo will persist in being Quasimodo throughout the entire 528 page story. He’s half-made and he will remain that way. But with Peter there is a progression. Yes, he has been embarrassing himself at various junctures.  Look for example at the Gospel of Matthew, chapter twenty six. He vigorously attests to his loyalty in verse 33; nevertheless, the chapter closes with Peter denying Jesus, three consecutive times (verses 69-75). 


Strikingly, he issues a three-fold profession of love, as we advance into the fourth Gospel (John 21:15-19). Clearly, he’s pulling it together—or is allowing the Lord to pull him together. Maybe he’s in the process of being more effectively “made.”  The Gospel of John is followed by the Book of Acts. Here, we see a Peter who speaks very boldly. Previously he was very concerned about the prospect of being mistreated. Now, he is thankful for the opportunity to suffer (see Acts 5:41)!! If Peter is half-made in the Gospels, he’s definitely more fully “made” as we proceed into the Book of Acts. 


Next, we make our way into the Book of Revelation. No, Peter is not going to be mentioned in this particular book—at least not by name. But we can count him among those who are recorded as offering praise and worship at the eternal celestial liturgy (see Rev. 5:11-14). In other words, he can be pronounced as “complete.”  He began as Simon the Fisherman. Jesus renames him as Peter (Matt. 16:18). Finally, he reaches the stage where he can be legitimately acknowledged as “Saint Peter.”  


It can be said that the Lord never gives up on Peter. Peter fails time and time again. The Lord would have been well within his rights to dismiss Peter—or to “expel” him. But that is not how the Lord operates. He wants Peter to be something more than half-made. He therefore continues to work with him, very patiently. And what he does for Peter he will likewise do for you. The key is to stay within range. Keep yourself in play. Judas took himself out of play (see Matthew 27:3-10). He adopted a spirit of despair. Judas represents an example of what not to do. Meanwhile, Peter represents an example of what we should be doing. Crawl back to the Lord, no matter how many times you fail him, no matter how gravely you have transgressed. In this way, he can continue working with you. Jesus will show you the same patience that he showed to Peter. The Lord will assist you so that you can become something more than half-made. 

 

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