Rebound
It seems clear
that St. Peter learned
the fullness of forgiveness
when the risen Lord appeared in the upper room
and breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples
who had abandoned and denied him short days ago,
declaring, “If you forgive sins
they are forgiven them;
if you hold them bound,
they are held bound.” John 20:23
I suspect the first to seek the forgiveness
with which Jesus had empowered his church
was St. Peter contrite and confessing his triple denial.
I feel confident he came to complete peace and compassion.
This seems evident
in the next encounter with the risen Lord.
“Do you love me?” Jesus asks Peter. John 21:15
Peter does not hesitate,
he does not hang his head in shame
and say “how can I say I love you
when I denied you three times
a short while ago?”
No, rather Peter responds three times,
Each time more positively,
“Yes Lord I love you.” John 21:15,16,17
Peter was forgiven by the church, by Jesus.
He rebounds magnificently.
He was contrite but not crushed.
He recovered from his past sins
because Jesus shared forgiveness with the church.
Forgiveness made it possible for him
To declare to Jesus in integrity and honesty
“I love you … I love you … I love you.”