Peter meets the risen Lord

John 21:15-23

T

HE post-easter encounter of Peter and Jesus was more realistic than dramatic; more emotional restraints than jubilation; words used by the Lord penetrate the heart and hurts the pride.

The answers of Peter were obviously direct yet discreet and instead of the usual robust and loudmouthed Peter, we see a phlegmatic, melancholic Peter. The silence of the sanguine can only mean something is not normal? Desiring to meet the

Risen Lord up-close and personal creates an eerie feeling...like standing before someone from whom cannot hide anything!

Meeting the Risen Lord is meeting TRUTH Personified...pretentions are exposed and lies melt away! Peter’s denial of the Master is a memory time cannot erase. Meeting the Lord is going beyond words...he sees the heart. We need post-easter encounters ourselves lest we become numb and settle for the comfortable flattery of religion rather than the liberating truth from Jesus!

The Lord sets an appointment with each of His followers, including us today. He meets those who are most guilty of betrayal and are most doubtful! He leaves the 99 who are ok and seeks the one that is lost and unaware of his dangerous spiritual predicament of being away from the community of faith. You are the target...and our loved ones and close friends who once were robust in their faith and are now practically unbelieving.

As I reflect on this critical crisis of faith, I am overwhelmed by my powerlessness to solve the matter. Most people who have the “Thomas” syndrome and Peter’s guilt don’t need my sermon; they need to meet the Risen Lord! The Risen Lord is determined to meet the renegades, to bring them much-needed truth and grace!

Though we are talking about Peter, our focus is Jesus, don’t miss that! Our goal is not condemnation but compassion; not strictness but knowing the difference between strictness and holiness emanating from the unconditional love of Abba as ren I flected by the Risen Lord...not a call for perfection...but an invitation to a deeper devotion to Christ...not a message of guilt or a sentence of eternal uselessness but a chance to change and receive a new mandate...ministering from a deep sense of brokenness. Peter was not suspended...he received a fresh mandate of grace...feed my sheep, follow me!

Let us use our sanctified imagination, close your eyes and imagine you are there listening to their conversation, let the word we read today come alive in the context of where we are and where the Risen Lord is leading us. Be sensitive to the voice of the Spirit and give him a bigger venue in your heart to create convictions that will guide your choices and make a commitment that is delightful than dutiful. Let’s sit in on this posteaster meeting with Peter and Jesus. No comments...just commune then underline your Spirit-directed convictions, ok?* I THE CNN Philippines sponsored debate last April 27, the administration senatorial bets were clobbered by the members of the Otso Diretso team in almost all issues affecting the country. But will the Otso Diretso bets get the vote?

My friend, Pachico A. Seares made an interesting analysis by invoking precedents and made this conclusion: “All that affirms a fact of recent history: a popular president gets most of the Senate seats which is not good for the Otso Diretso candidates.”

Political events are always influenced by factors and imponderables. The endorsement by a popular (or notorious), president can dictate the outcome of senatorial elections. Thus, the authentic popularity of President Cory Aquino assured the victory of 22 of 24 bets; the genuine popularity of Noy Aquino plus his economic performance, made 9 out of his 12 senatorial candidates win.

With all due respect, I cannot agree with the conclusion that the Duterte factor in 2019, like the Cory magic in 1987, could work. Here are my reasons:

There is no doubt that in her time, Cory was wellloved as an icon of democracy. Duterte is not loved, he is feared. Thus, during election surveys, voters out of fear, would answer their interviewers contrary to what they will do on election day.

Several factors have lately dented the “popularity” of Duterte. The water shortage in Metro Manila, the power crisis in Luzon, the unchecked prices of fuel which have caused the rise of prime commodities, the people’s realization that the war on drugs is a sham because only the poor are victimized while the powerful go scotfree, the rising tide of criminality, the arrival of illegal Chinese immigrants, the creeping intrusion of China into the West Philippine sea, - these will be translated into negative votes against the administration candidates.

The political perception of young and idealistic voters has changed dramatically. This was shown in the various mock elections in USC, UP Diliman, UP Los Baños, UST, UP Baguio, and other universities in the country where all the Otso Diretso candidates made it to the winning circle, led by Dean Chel Diokno.

There is now a growing disenchantment in the ranks of labor which have been ardent admirers of Duterte. Millions of laborers say they have been fooled by Duterte’s pre-election promise to end contractualization. This will be translated into votes for the opposition Otso Diretso candidates in the coming May 13 elections.

The International Born Again Christian groups numbering millions have lately cast their support for

Otso Diretso.

The Catholic Church is another factor why the Otso Diretso bets will win. Because of their stand against extra-judicial killings, Duterte made the lives of bishops and priests miserable by his uncouth threats against them. What is worse, he has attacked the dogma of the Church and even called the Christian God “stupid.” Although, they are not campaigning in the pulpits, the priests are secretly working for the Otso Diretso bets.

All these and more, plus the admirable patriotism and sacrifices of the more than 100,000 volunteers all over the country will propel the Otso Diretso bets to victory./by Democrito C. Barcenas