Homily | May 22, 2026 | Restored At The Charcoal Fire | (Episode 132)

Today in the gospel we see a very beautiful scene.

Why?

Because it's not merely a conversation, it is restoration.

Remember where Peter is standing, he's standing near a charcoal fire.

That detail matters.

Because the last time Peter stood near a charcoal fire was during the passion, when he denied Christ three times.

I do not know that man.

Three denials.

Now Jesus asked three questions.

Do you love me?

One for every denial.

This is how God heals.

He goes back to the wound, to the root of the wound, not to shame us, but to restore us.

And somebody needs to hear that today because many people think God works like the world.

The world will tell you you failed, you're done, last chance.

God says, let us begin again.

Peter failed publicly, spectacularly.

He denied Christ at the worst possible moment, and yet Jesus does not remove him.

He restores him.

He does not say, Peter, explain yourself, defend yourself, justify yourself.

Why should I give you a more important role?

No, he asks one question.

Do you love me?

Because in the end, Christianity is not first about performance, it's about relationship.

Not are you perfect?

Not did you never fail?

Do you love me?

And Peter answers beautifully, Lord, you know everything.

In other words, you know my failures, you know my weaknesses, you know my wounds, and still you know I love you.

That may be one of the most honest prayers we can pray.

Lord, I am not perfect, but you know my heart.

Then comes something very important and very Catholic.

Jesus says, feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.

Love immediately becomes mission.

Jesus does not say, Peter, do you love me?

Wonderful.

Go have a private spiritual life.

No.

Love leads to service.

Love leads to responsibility.

Love leads to shepherding.

Because authentic love always overflows.

Then comes the hard part.

Jesus tells Peter, When you were younger, you were you went where you wanted.

But when you grow old, others will lead you where you do not want to go.

The gospel tells us this refers to Peter's death.

And this becomes a teaching moment for all of us.

When we were young, we often think freedom means doing whatever we want.

Christianity matures, maturity, Christian maturity teaches something different.

Freedom is giving ourselves away.

Peter spends his life moving from self-reliance to surrender, from I will never deny you to, Lord, you know everything.

From controlling life to entrusting life, from fisherman to martyr.

And notice the final words of Jesus, follow me.

Not explain everything, not understand everything, follow me.

Now look at the first reading.

Festus is trying to explain Christianity to King Agrippa.

And he almost sounds confused.

He says the whole controversy seems to be about a certain Jesus who had died, but who Paul claimed was alive.

It's an extraordinary sentence.

That is Christianity.

The world says Jesus died.

The Christian says he lives.

And because he lives, Peter can be restored.

Because he lives, sinners can become saints.

Because he lives, failures do not have the last word.

Because he lives, death does not have the last word.

Everything hangs on this.

A certain Jesus who had died but is alive, that changes history.

That changes Peter, that changes us.

And maybe today Jesus is asking every one of us the same question he asked Peter.

Not about theology, not about ministry, not about accomplishments, just this.

Do you love me?

And if our answer is yes, however imperfect, however wounded, however weak, then the response of Christ remains the same.

Follow me.

Because if we love him, we have to be on mission.

Amen.