As many of you know my mom has been sick and is battling cancer.  She has her good days and her bad.  My dad is the “saint” who takes care of her every need day in and day out.  If you have ever watched someone you love suffer, then you know the faith and compassion that is needed to suffer in silence right along with them. 

The good news is that we do not have to suffer alone.  Our Lord and Savior suffered and died on the cross for all of us.  There is so much suffering all around us, with the war in Ukraine, the increased gun violence and the general disrespect for life. We all have struggles and if you are suffering, my prayers go out to you. Let us unite together and be aware of the presence of God in our midst. Let us band together and trust that God is with us in his power and strength, giving us the grace we need to move forward.

In today’s gospel even the apostles were suffering after the crucifixion of Jesus, but Jesus did not abandon them. He appeared again, the third appearance after his resurrection, to comfort and unite them. 

If you are like me then you can relate to Peter, always wanting to follow the Lord, but at times falling short.  But Jesus did not abandon Peter, not even after he denied Him three times.  Instead, Jesus returns to Peter and His apostles to strengthen them through the Eucharist. 

Like Peter, we are all called to follow Him and like Peter many times we deny Jesus through our thoughts and in our actions. Yet, Jesus did not give up on Peter and He will not give up on you.  Peter denied our Lord three times and three times our Lord gave Peter the opportunity to return to Him, begin anew and be a daily witness of love, compassion and forgiveness.  Like Peter, let us love the Lord despite our shortcomings, failures and weaknesses.  May God continue to bless you all.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae