Fr. Simon takes us on a wild ride through Greek grammar, Sacred Scripture, childhood memories, and the gritty truth of confession… all to remind us of one earth-shaking, soul-freeing truth:
🙏 God doesn’t forgive excuses. He forgives sins.
🐟 Do You Love Me More Than These?
Fr. Simon starts by obsessing (his word!) over a deceptively simple question:
What did Jesus really mean when He asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” Was He asking, “Do you love me more than you love these other people?” Or, “Do you love me more than they love me?”
The Greek grammar is a bit fuzzy, but here’s what matters:
Jesus uses the word agape: divine, sacrificial love.
Peter responds with philia: brotherly affection.
The third time, Jesus lowers the bar and says, “Do you even love me like a brother?”
💔 Peter’s response: Grief.
Not because Jesus is giving him a pop quiz, but because he realizes the truth: he doesn’t love Jesus the way he should.
And THAT is the beginning of his transformation.
🚨 Confession: Not Just a Sacrament, But a Superpower
Fr. Simon says:
“I used to think Peter was given a great ministry despite his sin.
Now I think it was because he confessed his sin.”
🔥When Peter finally admits his weakness, Jesus doesn’t shame him.
He reinstates him.
He says, “Feed my sheep.” Not “Try harder.” Not “Explain yourself.”
So, what is confession?
-It’s not a courtroom defense.
-It’s not “Bless me Father, for I have sinned… but let me explain!”
-It’s agreeing with God: “Yes, Lord, I am a sinner.”
Fr. Simon urges us:
Stop explaining. Start admitting.
Because once we admit who we really are, we discover who God really is: a Father whose love is limitless and unquenchable.
😭 The Orange Peel Atonement (True Story)
To bring it all home, Fr. Simon shares a hauntingly beautiful memory from his childhood.
He lied to his mom about eating an orange and breaking his communion fast, all because he didn’t want to go to Mass since he was watching cartoons.
She found out: not by yelling, but by gently pointing out there were no orange peels in the trash… with a tear in each eye.
That moment?
That was atonement.
He wasn’t scolded.
He was invited into sorrow: the sorrow of love betrayed, and it changed him.
The Cross, he says, is the same:
Jesus doesn’t scream from the Cross, “See what you did?!”
He says, “Look what you’ve done to me… and I still love you.”
So, What Now?
If you want the Holy Spirit to flood your life, here’s your call to action:
-✝️ Confess your sins.
-💬 Admit who you really are.
-🙌 Receive the mercy that’s waiting for you.
Because the truth is:
God needs you to be honest.
🧡 From Fr. Simon:
“Peter wasn’t brave. He was honest.
And because he was honest, the Lord used him to change the world.”
So don’t wait. Drop the excuses, ditch the defenses.
Go to confession. Say the thing. Let the tears fall.
And watch what God builds on the foundation of your honesty.
Want a bold, messy, beautiful life with Jesus?
Start by telling Him the truth.
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