Clergy Notes — June 29, 2025
I am sufficiently old enough that when I was ordained to the diaconate, 39 years ago today, the lections for the day were for St. Peter alone. In the Church of England at least, he only teamed up with St. Paul at a later date. As a bishop once said, ‘…it is hard to imagine them working together as clergy colleagues.’
The gospel passage set for today describes the resurrection appearance when Peter is asked by Jesus if he loves him. St. Paul incidentally, doesn’t get a look in! It is a very moving narrative where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. Jennifer Garcia Bashaw suggests that here is a reversal of Peter’s denial and shame, as Jesus prompts a triple confession of Peter’s love; both set at a charcoal fire.
Jesus demonstrates his love for Peter by continuing to entrust him, and Peter is able to redeem himself. This seems to speak to the constant dynamic in our lives as Christians. At times we love God and one another. At other times we move away from God and find one another a challenge. In our daily lives we constantly need to take responsibility for our words and actions. When we step aside from God, when we find each other difficult to live with, we are encouraged, (as Peter was), to return to God by confessing our faults and acknowledging our need of God and each other.
Although today is an occasion to recall and pray for those who are ordained, and those called to ordination, it is also a time for all of us to remember our call, first to baptism and then to use our gifts, skills and experience to care for the people of God. As we once again reflect on our vocation, we ask ourselves: what can I do to care for others; what can I contribute to the life of the church, that it may fully reflect the body of Christ it is meant to be.
None of us is called to be Peter or Paul (thank goodness), but we are all called to respond to the love God has made known in our lives. And by responding we offer ourselves to care for one another, to grow the church and by so doing, love and praise God.
Fr Stephen Rowe