Omne Trium Perfectum

Homily for Friday of the Seventh Week in Eastertide

Let’s start this reflection with a little Latin, “Omne Trium Perfectum,” which loosely translates to “things that occur in threes are perfect.” Over the centuries, probably without even knowing it, we have “perfected” this pattern. We have popular sayings like, “the third time is the charm,” books titled, “The Three Musketeers,” and fairy tales about the proverbial genie in the bottle who will grant you three wishes. Even the Constitution of the United States offers three benefits, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”  Good things seem to come in threes.

The number three is also prominent in religion. As Christians, we have the Holy Trinity – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Buddhism has the Triple Gem. There are the three pillars of Judaism and the Trimurti of the Hindu. The Bible has many multiples of three – Jesus' ministry lasted three years; he was tempted three times by the devil; there were three men crucified on Golgotha; and Christ rose again on the third day.

But what if three is the number of times Jesus asks someone essentially the same question, someone who months earlier had denied he even knew Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times over! The thrice-repeated question is not, “Are you sure we are headed in the right direction?” No, this question goes to the very heart of all questions, “Do you love me?” This is what Simon Peter faced in today’s Gospel.

So how would each of us answer the question, “Do you love me?” if Jesus asked it of us three times? Surely, we would all respond with a resounding yes, yes, yes! However, actions speak louder than words. Do our actions provide the answer Jesus is seeking? Demonstrating your love by living your faith is not always an easy undertaking. As Simon Peter showed, one can claim to be faithful but easily fail to live up to the promise. Thankfully, God does not limit us to only three opportunities to say we are sorry.

As we discern what loving Jesus means to each of us, maybe the best way for us to “lead his sheep” is to never forget the words Jesus shared with his disciples. Love God and love your neighbor. The Eucharist is our thanksgiving for God’s mercy which is not hemmed in by the number three.