REFLECTIONS TODAY
John’s Gospel is focused almost entirely on Jesus. Less attention is given to the role of the Apostles (the Twelve) and of Simon Peter. To attune it to the accounts of the Synoptic Gospels and Acts where Peter is given a more prominent role of leadership, John’s epilogue (chapter 21) now focuses on Jesus entrusting his followers—his “flock”—to Peter: “Feed my lambs… tend my sheep” (vv 15, 16).
Jesus alone is the Good Shepherd and the sheep are his. But in ascending to the Father, he makes Peter the visible representation of his care for his sheep. A true shepherd of the flock knows his sheep and is ready to lay down his life for the sheep.
Peter had not always been a faithful disciple. Here, he is distressed at Jesus’ thrice repeated question, “Do you love me,?” remembering the three times he denied that he knew Jesus. But there is no denying that he truly loves Jesus, and for Jesus, this humble confession of love makes Peter a true shepherd. In his old age, he would suffer martyrdom, offering his life for Jesus’ flock.
Pope Francis points out this Gospel episode as a dialogue of friends between Jesus and Peter. The word “love” is being used in this dialogue: feed, because you love me; feed, because you are my friend. And so, feed with love. “We should not ‘feed with our head held high, as a great dictator, no: feed with humility, with love, just as Jesus did’ ” (Homily, June 2, 2017).
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: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.