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?”
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.”
Do you love me?
1) Jesus calls you. The call is personal and it’s an invitation to do something for others but being yourself. This is what Jesus reminds us of in Peter. Peter had denied Him, but Jesus does not call just once, he calls many times and asks the essential question: Do you love me? Jesus calls you to be your true self and do what makes you happy. True happiness in your life brings happiness for those around you, because God’s call for you is a gift you have to share with others.
2) Tending others. The way Jesus calls us is very educational. First, He calls you and asks you freely whether or not you want to take on the lifestyle He proposes, and then He gives you a specific task to do. You and I, in keeping with our vocation, have the task of “shepherding”, that is, of tending to others, of being attentive to the needs of others, seeking to give life to them. Christians are called to accompany others; to make other people’s lives more beautiful, and not more problematic. Your life is valuable, and you cannot spend your life being bitter or depressed, or complicating the lives of others. Your life and your presence should be a real help, a relief for those close to you, rather than a burden.
3) Know. In the course of your life, you will face great challenges, but the hardest thing might be facing yourself. There is something great that you have within you, to share with society, with your family, and with the people who love and trust you. Are you aware of what makes you different from others? If you are, use your abilities! Embrace the gift that God has given you and tend to others.
Remember that something good is on the way! God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
