Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to 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.”
Do you love me?
1) He called: the call is personal and it is the invitation to do something for others, but by being yourself. This reminds us of Jesus and Peter; Peter had denied him and had even distanced himself from Jesus… but Jesus does not call only once, he calls many times and asks you the essential question: Do you love him? Jesus’ call is for you to be complete and to be yourself. He calls you to do what makes you happy so that it produces happiness,… because the call that God sends you is a gift; a gift to be given to others.
2) Tend: it is very pedagogical : Jesus first calls you and asks you in freedom whether or not you want to take on a lifestyle that Jesus proposes to you, …but then he presents you with the concrete task. You and I have, according to our vocation, the task of “shepherding”, that is to say: to be attentive to others. To seek to give life to others and in others. Realize that this life is short; that time flies by, and that time cannot be recovered. What happened, happened and the time never comes back. The Christian is called to accompany and shepherd others; to make life more beautiful for them and not to complicate their lives. Your life is worthwhile and you cannot live being bitter and sad, nor do you have to live a life which complicates the lives of others. Your life and your presence should be a relief for those close to you rather than a burden.
3) Know: in your life’s journey you will face great things, but what you will find most difficult is to face yourself. There is something very good that you have to give to society; to your family; to the people who love you and believe in you. Do you know what makes you different from others? If you know it: embrace it!
God be with you and bless you in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Remember, heaven is our goal!
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God Bless You!
