17 May, 2024 | Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Reading 1 : Acts 25:13b-21
Gospel Jn 21:15-19
After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them,
he said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
He said to him, "Tend my sheep."
He said to him the third time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
"Do you love me?" and he said to him,
"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go."
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."
Reflections:
After Peter's three denials of Jesus, he wept bitterly, seeking repentance. Jesus, in his grace, allows Peter to express his repentance through a three-fold declaration of love. Additionally, Jesus instructs Peter to follow him, symbolizing the imitation of Jesus's qualities as a shepherd. Just as Jesus cared for his flock by guiding, teaching, feeding, seeking the lost, healing, and sacrificing himself, leaders in the church should mirror this compassionate nature. They ought to love, guide, and teach the community, embodying the selfless service exemplified by Jesus. This call to shepherd echoes throughout the Christian faith, emphasizing humility, compassion, and service.
Activity:
Examine your life and see if you can say truly to Jesus, I love you .
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