REFLECTIONS TODAY
Peter denied Jesus three times and this, most probably, is the background of Jesus’ question repeated three times: “Do you love me?” (vv 15, 16, 17). As the denial was complete (“three” stands for completeness), so is Peter’s rehabilitation to discipleship. Jesus does not only forgive Peter; he even bestows on him a greater responsibility: a mission that will control his life from now on. Peter is entrusted with the care of Jesus’ flock. Like Jesus, the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, Peter too will offer his life for the sheep. There is a reference to Peter’s martyrdom in Jesus’ words: “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” (v 18). John’s Gospel was written around AD 85. By this time, it was common knowledge among Christians that Peter died in Rome during the persecution of Nero after the burning of the city in AD 64. St. Peter’s Basilica on Vatican Hill now stands over the place where Peter crowned his “shepherding” by dying for the flock entrusted to him by the Lord.
Gospel • John 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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023.”