Gospel: Jn 21:15-19
AFTER Jesus had revealed himself to his disĀciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, āSiĀmon, son of John, do you love me more than these?ā He said to him, āYes, Lord, you know that I love you.ā He said to him, āFeed my lambs.ā He then said to him a second time, āSimon, son of John, do you love me?ā He said to him, āYes, Lord, you know that I love you.ā He said to him, āTend my sheep.ā He said to him the third time, āSimon, son of John, do you love me?ā Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, āDo you love me?ā and he said to him, āLord, you know everything; you know that I love you.ā Jesus said to him, āFeed 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.ā He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, āFollow me.ā
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The risen Christ comes to the disciples as a companion of mercy. Breaking bread with them, he wants the distraught Apostles to know that he still accepts them. He has not come as an enemy out to settle old scores. The big catch of fish and the breakfast point to one thing: Jesusā enduring love for his Apostles.
The risen Christ then genĀtly leads Peter and the other Apostles back to his love. Jesus addresses himself to Peter and commissions him anew to be leader of the group. His triple denial of Jesus as his rabbi is efĀfectively erased by the threefold opportunity to express his love for Jesus and his commitment for Godās flock: āDo you love me more than these?ā
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SOURCE: ā365 Days with the Lord,ā ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.