The Word God Spells

John 21: 15-19
Acts 25:13-21 / Ps 103

“Take care of my sheep.”
(John 21:16)

Have we led God’s sheep in meadows green?
Spread His Word for which we’re called?
Let’s ask ourselves if we have been
Worthy shepherds of His fold.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” Peter replied, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered again, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Reflection

Jesus emphasized Peter’s role as His head shepherd by telling him to “Feed my lambs” (Jn. 21:15), “Tend my sheep” (16), and “Feed my sheep” (17). Our Lord always referred to Himself as the ‘Good Shepherd’, but now that He was going back to the Father, He was transferring the mantle of leadership to Peter.

Jesus is telling us in today’s Gospel that unfaithful or disobedient behavior can never be a trait of God’s leaders. Three times our Lord emphasized this to the leader of His apostles. Jesus set a very high standard for His leaders’ moral values. The moral failure of Peter revealed a lack of love. But our Lord transformed it into a moral triumph, and this led to the flourishing of Peter’s love for Jesus. In the end, his genuine love for his Master made his own martyrdom a privilege and great joy.

The tasks of a ‘shepherd’ is never done. Like St. Peter, we may have failed our Lord a few times in the past. But our God is a God of second chances. If we have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit for such a mandate, and the brothers and sisters in our community have affirmed this mantle of leadership that has been given us, then we must rise from our mistakes and strive again to serve as God’s shepherds. We can do no less to answer the Lord when He asks us, “Do you love me more than these?”

Bless all the shepherds of your flocks, Mighty God, so that they may wisely lead Your faithful ones to the green meadows of Your kingdom. Amen.