John 21: 15-19
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus 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.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter felt hurt because he said to him the 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. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Love and Action
Today’s Gospel calls on us to reflect on our own relationship with the Lord. It is one thing to say we love God; it is another to live that love out. When Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” and then commands him, “Feed my sheep”, he is showing that love must be proven through action.
Jesus urges each of us to show our love for God in concrete ways—through service, compassion, leadership, and care for others. He didn’t just entrust Peter with leadership; he entrusted him with his people: the hungry, the lonely, the poor, the immigrant, the forgotten. To love Jesus is to love all. To act.
How can I help a loved one today? How can I serve a stranger? How can I make a lasting difference in someone’s life?
May we have courage today to start this journey and tomorrow to continue it. To feed his sheep with love, and to let our actions reflect a faith that includes those on the margins. By taking these steps, we strengthen our relationship with God by bringing his love into the world.
—Maggie Palider is an assistant director of advancement and communications for the Midwest Jesuits and an alumna of Loyola University Chicago.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we ask you now
to help us to remain with you always,
to be close to you with all the ardor of our hearts,
to take up joyfully the mission you entrust to us
and that is to continue your presence
and to spread the good news of your Resurrection.
—Carlo Maria Martini, SJ
Pray with the Pope
Pray with the monthly prayer intentions of the pope.