There are scholars who see in Jesus’ three-fold questioning of Peter a then recognized Oriental social procedure -- used before witnesses -- when conferring and confirming a ‘legal’ right -- that is, one socially approved and fully binding, on someone other:
Feed My lambs; tend My sheep; feed My sheep
Therefore, we most probably have here a remarkable instance of Jesus’ great and most compassionate wisdom: He wipes out the memory – in Peter’s own mind and in the minds of the other apostles – of Peter’s moment of weakness and shame and -- and at the same time -- quite dramatically and most emphatically establishes him as head of His nascent Church in accordance with His Father’s manifest will.
There are also revealing words of Jesus relating to Peter’s future
crucifixion:
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.
At this juncture, we should recognize that there is no question of Jesus implying that Peter would refuse to face up to his future crucifixion, only that Peter would not want to go; and, in that regard, we should recall that John tells us that:
Jesus said this signifying by what kind of death he (Peter) WOULD GLORIFY GOD.
Peter was a most wonderful disciple of Jesus and he had come to find no difficulty in acknowledging, admitting, his own nothingness: of himself, he would not want to go on that journey to his crucifixion because he did not love as Jesus – his Lord and Saviour alone could love. However, he most fully trusted in Jesus that He could, and would, draw Peter after Himself, and that He would help him, Peter, to humbly follow where Jesus his Lord alone could lead.
Dear People of God, let us most seriously pray for the simplicity of heart to admire Peter’s example; but, above all, at this juncture in time, let us pray for the Gift of a new Peter to guide Mother Church in witnessing and clinging fast to the divine Truth and heavenly Beauty of Jesus’ teaching, by walking ever more closely in the way of His commandments and following ever more joyfully the inspiration of His own most precious example in giving praise, honour, gratitude and thanksgiving, to God the Father of us all.
