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?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to 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.”
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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: Jesus’ enduring love for his Apostles.
The risen Christ then gently 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 effectively erased by the threefold opportunity to express his love for Jesus and his commitment for God’s flock: “Do you love me more than these?”
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” 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.
