Friday of the
Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 25:15-19)
In his classic book Childhood and Society Erik Erikson
outlines eight stages of psycho-social development. He begins with basic trust
that infants are to develop and proceeds to ego integrity, the goal of a
successful life. In today’s gospel Jesus
calls Peter to the penultimate stage of generativity where he is to assist
others in the quest for happiness.
In their conversation,
Jesus commissions Peter to pastor his church.
He wants his vicar to keep the people united on the road to the fullness
of life. Since it is not an easy task, Jesus requires
that Peter give full allegiance. He calls
Peter to be ready to sacrifice his life in carrying out the duties of his office.
Just as we are to be
generative in our social development, we are to give life in our development as
Christians. This means that we call
others to Christian discipleship and model for them its meaning. It will demand sacrifice, but the integrity
to which it leads us will be crowned with eternal life.
