I wonder what Jesus’ voice sounded like when He asked Simon Peter: “Do you love me?” With gentleness and tenderness, Jesus encounters Simon Peter. It’s sheer love. There is no condemnation.
This is Jesus’ mysterious work of restoration.
He restores Simon Peter’s three-fold denial from Good Friday with a relationship of love. From this relationship, Simon Peter remembers his identity as the rock on whom Jesus has chosen to build His Church. From this identity, Simon Peter receives his mission to feed the flock entrusted to his care.
Sister, this is how Jesus wants to do the mysterious work of restoration in our own hearts. Jesus desires complete union with our souls! From this relationship we will know our identity before Him. And when we know our identity, we will receive our mission.
Jesus desires a docile, surrendered heart that is ready to follow Him. Yes, He may lead us somewhere where we might not want to go, but His cross always leads to life!
I never thought that I would resign from a teaching job I loved to join a convent. Nor did I think I would leave that convent after six years of formation. With the gentle guidance of spiritual directors throughout the last decade, I have experienced clarity in prayer along my winding path to holiness. No matter where I am living, what I am wearing, or how people perceive my story, I know with confidence that Jesus is with me. And He is enough for me.
From this personal relationship with Jesus, He sees my heart. In the truth of my identity, I have my mission. I trust Him and am grateful for His mysterious work of restoration in my life.
Sister, today I invite you to set aside a little more time for prayer. Invite the Holy Trinity to restore your heart. May each of us have the grace to be docile to the will of the Father in our uniquely beautiful identify and mission.
Pray this new Saint's mission of life prayer today.
Rose Coleman is a contemplative in action who delights in all things beautiful. Her adventurous heart has traveled many places—from circumnavigating the globe on a ship during college to some years in the convent as a religious sister. Exuberant from her childhood, she is an elementary school teacher who learns so much from her students. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book called Rise Up and the author of our Blessed Conversations: Ways to Pray study found here. You can find out more about her here.
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