by: Deacon Paul Rooney (deaconpaul@cox.net)
3rd Sunday of Easter
(Cycle "C" - April 25, 2004) )

Q. 264: Today's readings show Peter as rather stubborn and impulsive, don't they? He disobeys the Sanhedrin (Acts 5), and jumps out of the boat to see Jesus (Jn 21).

A. 264: I am reminded of what Fr. Bill Grimm said several years ago, words to the effect that we are all called to be stubborn and impulsive, when the circumstances call for that kind of behavior. When we Catholics think of Peter, our first instinct is to think of him as "the first Pope." However, lots of things came before that position of special leadership! As Fr. Grimm said, who else do you know who would jump into the water with your clothes on; who else did Jesus call a "Satan"; who else denied Jesus three times; who else was ambivalent about relations with Gentiles and had to be kicked in the butt by St. Paul; who else tried walking on water; who else takes action without thinking?

This is the one Jesus chose to lead his Church? Yes, and we are fortunate to see those characteristics in the pre-Pentecost Peter. He was willing to take action, even without thinking, when Jesus was involved. He didn't wait until a theological treatise had been developed to weigh all the arguments for and against a situation; he simply acted! Of course, sometimes his haste resulted in correctable decisions, as he discovered through his colleague St. Paul.

But the overriding message is that the Easter faith is spread only by those who take action. If everyone were to "wait," there wouldn't be many conversions from pagan beliefs! Some would not hear the Good News at all. Baptism is our first "jump into the water" of missionary activity. It empowers us with Jesus' own Spirit to take action, to spread the Good News; and we renew our baptismal promises every Easter. Ask yourself: "How have I been living out my Sacrament and the responsibilities that flow from discipleship?"

Know Your Catechism! The Church - that's you and me - is the seed for establishing the Kingdom of God; what have you been doing with your seed (CCC #768)? The presence of Christ continues in his disciples, his mystical body (CCC #788). Does the Body of Christ suffer because you are withholding the gifts from them that they need (CCC #791)? Am I willing to "get my feet wet" for the sake of the kingdom?

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha