“Omne trium perfectum” – the “rule of three” is a principle suggesting things come in threes.
“Liberte, egalite, fraternite” cried the French revolutionaries. In Dicken’s, A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge receives visits from three spirits: The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. C.S.Lewis’ timeless classic comes with the threefold title, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and there are three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Meanwhile, tradition tells us three Wise Men paid homage to the baby Jesus.
Indeed, things come in threes – the Three Musketeers, the Three Bears and the Three Little Pigs. There are Three Coins in a Fountain while one takes three wickets to achieve a Hat Trick!
We are told to “stop, look and listen” before crossing the road while persistent advertisers tell us “A Mars a day helps you work, rest and play”!
Jocularity aside, our understanding of faith is grounded in the threefold God – Father, Son and Spirit. Moreover, today we note the risen Christ, who was raised from death on the third day, asks the inept Peter three pertinent questions. Jesus approaches Peter with three searching challenges concerning his love for his Lord and his willingness to pick up the mantle to be a shepherd to his people.
We could ask why does Jesus grill Peter three times? Is it a case of simply repeating himself?
Remembering that Peter denied Jesus three times, I believe the risen Christ applies the “Rule of Three”’ here with the purpose of bringing about change. In his threefold questioning, things happen as Jesus restores the pitiful Peter. Through his threefold conversation, the risen Christ reconnects with this feeble man who turned his back on the Lord. Jesus does so with the purpose of challenging the status-quo and bringing about a massive turn-about as Peter is charged to be the pastor of the flock.
Here Peter is appointed, here Peter is commissioned. By means of the “Rule of Three” Peter is installed to lead the greatest movement of all!
Things come in threes. On this third Sunday of Easter Jesus asks – “Will you follow me?” “Will you follow me?” “Will you follow me?” I pray the “Rule of Three” will apply in your life as you answer – YES, YES and YES!
John Barr