GOSPEL, John (21: 15-19)

Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John

Jesus and Peter

 

¹⁵ When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the 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. ¹⁸ Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” ¹⁹ (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

 The Gospel of the Lord

 

REFLECTION

God loves us always and immeasurably and to feel this love we have to be able to receive him. In return for God’s immense love, we must love our neighbours with the same intensity.

Jesus was aware of Peter’s love, but he also wanted him to be aware that despite his faults, God’s love and mercy are infinite. He did not want to leave doubts in Peter’s heart, so he asked him three times as if to confirm his mercy towards him, he who had also denied him three times. “Do you love me more than these?” This love of God cannot be solitary! Love generates commitment, has to overflow, that is why Jesus said to Peter: “Feed my sheep”; “Feed my lambs”! The Lord also makes this request of us.

To feed is to bring peace; it is to bear witness with concrete acts that only really the love of God has the power to enact in us. He, who loves, cares, welcomes and forgives. He makes us calm and steady despite all the storms. Do we love with the love of God? – Do we love Jesus more than we love others? Am I called to know, love, follow and proclaim Jesus Christ? It all starts with knowledge. S. Paul says, “I consider that all of this was really a loss, because of the wonder that is the knowledge of Christ Jesus”. The cross that the disciple chooses to accept refers to apostolic suffering, which is a consequence of following Jesus Christ.

May we let ourselves be enlightened, strengthened and guided by the Holy Spirit!

 

PRAYER

Lord God, who, by the coming of the Holy Spirit, has opened the doors of eternal Life to us; grant us to be more dedicated to Your service and to live more fully the riches of the Faith. Amen.