Daily Reflection Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Have you ever heard the expression “everything happens in threes?” I hear this all the time, so I thought I would google the phrase to see where it originated. Talk about going down a rabbit hole. Let’s just say that is three hours of my life I will never get back.  I went from the most obvious Father, Son and Holy Spirit to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and then the connections went off the rails. Before I knew it there were three blind mice, some stooges, some kittens, missing mittens, snap, crackle, pop and some little pigs. Thank goodness faith, hope and love appeared, or I might still be in the rabbit hole. 

From Aristotle to Nike (Just do it) the rule of three has taken hold on all of us. It means that things that come in threes have a greater impact and sticking power in the brain. That is why we all tend to remember bible passages with threes in them. We have Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the three patriarchs of Israel, Jonah is in the whale for three days and the Lord calling Samuel three time. Jesus was lost in the temple for three days, in the desert Jesus was tempted three times, St. Paul was without his sight for three days and of course the greatest Jesus rising on the third day. 

The above are all wonderful examples but the one I am drawn to most is in today’s gospel. It is Jesus asking this question three times “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He is giving Peter the opportunity to be reconciled to him. He is giving him the opportunity to let go of the guilt he is carrying from the three times he denied him. Then he tells Peter three times to tend to his flock. Jesus is forgiving him and reinforcing his trust in him to lead his flock. In telling Peter three times to feed and tend to his sheep he is reminding him to be a humble and forgiving servant. How beautiful is this example. Jesus just wants Peter to feel loved and in turn love others.

This model of forgiveness, humility and service has been handed down to you and me. We always have the Father, Son and Spirit to turn to for strength as we walk in Peter’s footsteps.  So as that famous Nike commercial says, in three words, “Just do it!”