When we use the word “Passion” with a capital “P” in the Church we are generally speaking of Jesus’ Passion that we just celebrated during Holy Week.\u00a0 Out of his passion for us, Jesus freely gives his life for us on the Cross so that we can be redeemed.\u00a0 We must never forget this.<\/p>\n
How much Passion do we have for faith?<\/p>\n
In today’s first\u00a0reading<\/a>, we see the passion that Peter has as an Apostle.\u00a0 Peter is arrested along with others for preaching faith in Jesus Christ.\u00a0 The people who arrest him are some of the same people involved in the arrest of Jesus.\u00a0 So, Peter would have valid reason to fear.\u00a0 Will they crucify him like they crucified Jesus?<\/p>\n Peter is not deterred.\u00a0 When questioned about his faith, Peter does not waver.\u00a0 He stands up for what he believes in and is so bold as to speak out against the people who arrested him as rejecting the faith.<\/p>\n How is Peter so bold?\u00a0 First, the reading tells us that Peter was “filled with the Holy Spirit.”\u00a0 One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is courage<\/em>.\u00a0 Peter certainly needed to rely on that gift but also on the gifts of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to know what to say.\u00a0 Peter was also strengthened in his faith having known Jesus before his Crucifixion and having seen the Risen Jesus (see today’s gospel<\/a>).<\/p>\n With all this in mind, one might think it was easy for Peter to be strong in faith.\u00a0 We must remember that Peter’s faith wasn’t always perfect.\u00a0 After the Transfiguration, Peter rebuked Jesus for Jesus’ prediction of his own Passion.\u00a0 Peter is the one who denies Jesus’ three times.\u00a0 In today’s Gospel, even though Peter has seen the Risen Jesus twice already, he doesn’t immediately recognize Jesus.\u00a0 If you read the Acts of the Apostles<\/em>, we hear how God had to keep leading Peter in faith.<\/p>\n Like Peter, our faith might not be perfect but do we have a passion for our faith?<\/p>\n Our passion for our faith can be expressed in different ways.\u00a0 I know of some people who have a very deep faith expressed only in personal prayer.\u00a0 Others might not see it but it is there.\u00a0 These people do not always express their faith outwardly, not out of fear, but simply it is not their personality to do so.<\/p>\n For others, their zeal for the faith is obvious.\u00a0 Peter and Paul are great biblical example of this.<\/p>\n We might think as long as we have faith, it doesn’t matter if we express it outwardly.\u00a0 Individually, it might not matter but we are not concerned just with individuals.\u00a0 If we let our faith be seen, we can be witnesses to Christ.\u00a0 When we let our faith be seen, we become a light for the world to Christ.\u00a0 We can lead others to Jesus.<\/p>\n Just like everyone else, my faith is not perfect.\u00a0 After knowing Jesus’ love for us on the Cross, one of the things that helps me to keep the faith is to see others who are passionate about the faith.\u00a0 I can wonder if people really care.\u00a0 When I see others who are interested in faith, it gives me hope.\u00a0 That’s why I love questions about our faith.\u00a0 I believe that if people are asking questions, then their faith is important to them and that makes my ministry worthwhile.<\/p>\n Who has shown you their passion for our faith?\u00a0 Whom have you shared your passion with?<\/p>\n Peace,<\/p>\n Fr. Jeff<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When we use the word “Passion” with a capital “P” in the Church we are generally speaking of Jesus’ Passion that we just celebrated during Holy Week.\u00a0 Out of his passion for us, Jesus freely gives his life for us on the Cross so that we can be redeemed.\u00a0 We must never forget this. How …<\/p>\n