‘MORE THAN THESE’
(
A reflection on Peter on his Feast day)
We are familiar with the chain of supermarkets titled MORE. I like the name ‘MORE’ for a supermarket. I suppose the owners want to suggest to the customers that they can get more than their money’s worth by marketing with them.
It is not just modern supermarket
owners who have found the charm and the meaning contained in the word ‘more’.
Two thousand years ago Jesus too used that word generously to challenge
especially those whom he chose to be leaders.
In the Gospel of John, before Christ
entrusts his Church to Peter’s care, he asks him three times, “Simon son of
John, do you love me more than these?” The question is not so much, “Do you
love me?” but “Do you love me MORE than these?”
Jesus had every reason to expect more from Peter. When
Peter was called Jesus had the faith to see the ‘rock’ in him. Jesus went to
Simon’s house and cured his mother-in-law. It was in Peter’s house Jesus cured
many sick people and they were full of admiration for Jesus and Peter as well. Jesus
hired Peter’s boat for a pulpit and in return gave him a boat full of
fish. Jesus made the sea a playground
for Peter to walk on and held his hands when his faith failed. Peter was among
the inner circle to whom Jesus revealed his glory. Peter was chosen to be the leader
and was given the keys of the Kingdom. Jesus trusted Peter and entrusted to him
all he had. So it was natural for Jesus to ask the question, “Do you love me more
than these?”
The more one is trusted and entrusted, the more is expected. Those to whom much is given, much will be demanded. Many aspire to be among the inner circle of their masters and manipulate their way to higher positions. Some, the master picks and grooms to be his close associates. But there is a corresponding responsibility that comes with favor and power.
The ‘good soil’ for which the farmer has sweated and toiled has to produce far more than those on the sidelines which are often loaded with stones and sticks. Only with more fruit from the good soil can the master hope to bring more of the stony and thorny soil to be part of the good soil. The elder brother who has been given ‘all’ that the father has and has been feeding on the best portions in his father’s house every day has no right to complain because the father has killed the ‘fattened calf’ for the prodigal son. The chosen and privileged one near the altar cannot pride and compare himself with that poor deprived man near the door and boast, “I am not like that man”.
Those who have been trusted and entrusted have to produce sixty, ninety if not a hundred percent. There is no question of comparison with those on the periphery or any room for boasting. Much has been invested to make you what you are. There is a corresponding responsibility that comes to those who are privileged to be friends of the master, those who are chosen to be close to the altar, and those who stay at home. Those of the inner circle, the ‘good soil’, the friends of the master, are expected to produce more, to love more. They will be asked, “ Do you love me MORE than these?” The word to be underlined is not love but more. Be slow to answer. Be honest. The question was repeated three times and perhaps only at the third time Peter got the answer right.
- Fr T.V. George sdb
