First Reading: Acts 25:13b-21
Psalm: Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab
The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
Gospel: Jn 21:15-19
Fri: Charles Lwanga & co., mts M
Acts 25: 13b-21/ Ps 103: 1-2. 11-12. 19-20ab/ Jn 21: 15-19
1st Reading: Acts 25:13b-21
As they were to stay there several days, Festus told the king about Paul’s case, and said to him,
“We have here, a man, whom Felix left as a prisoner. When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests, and the elders of the Jews, accused him, and asked me to sentence him. I told them, that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over a man, without giving him an opportunity to defend himself in front of his accusers. So they came, and I took my seat, without delay, on the tribunal, and sent for the man.
When the accusers had the floor, they did not accuse him of any of the crimes that I was led to think he had committed; instead, they quarreled with him, about religion, and about a certain Jesus, who has died, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. I did not know what to do about this case, so I asked Paul if he wanted to go to Jerusalem, to be tried there. But Paul appealed, to be judged by the emperor. So I ordered, that he be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar.”
Responsorial Psalm; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab
The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
Gospel: Jn 21:15-19
After they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these do?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” And Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” And Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Look after my sheep.” And a third time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was saddened because Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus then said, “Feed my sheep! Truly, I say to you, when you were young, you put on your belt and walked where you liked. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will put a belt around you, and lead you where you do not wish to go.”
Jesus said this to make known the kind of death by which Peter was to glorify God. And he added, “Follow me!”
Reflection:
Love with Holes
In the “You know that I love you” confession of Peter, there is more than a confession of love—there is the confession of love’s failings as well. At the successive repetition of the question by Jesus, Peter’s confession reveals a deepening awareness of the imperfections of his love; and at the third time, he would preface it thus: “Lord, you know everything…” Peter knows that his master knew that his love had holes. His was a love which, even when it boasted of its fidelity in the light of the day, would grow cold feet in the dark of the night. Peter now realizes that to love as his Master loved, he must let the Master do the loving through him. This confession of holes in his love was enough for the Master to soon pour in his Spirit of love into him. Peter’s love would then grow feet and wings.