The dialogue between Jesus and Peter recorded in today’s reading hearkens back to a conversation between the same two men the night before Jesus was arrested. That night, Jesus gathered his closest friends together to celebrate the Seder meal. This was an evening filled with a symbolic act of humble service and his feeding them with what he told them was his real body and blood. There was drama and tension in the room.
As they left the meal, Jesus sadly remarked, “You will all lose faith in me this night.” Peter protests, “Though all lose faith in you, I will never lose faith.” Jesus looks sadly at Peter and tells him that before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Impetuously, Peter responds that he would die rather than betray Jesus. But later that same evening, three times Peter denied that he even knew Jesus. The cock crowed and Peter realized what he had done. Peter went away crying bitterly.
Today’s reading, at the end of John’s Gospel, brings the betrayer and the betrayed face to face. Jesus does not condemn or scold Peter. He looks lovingly into the eyes of this disciple who had been with him for three years and asks. “Peter, do you love me?” He does this three times with Peter answering “yes” each time. As Peter answers yes each time, Jesus commands Peter, “Feed my lambs,” Tend my sheep.” Feed my sheep.”
Like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus requires no penance or apology from Peter. “Do you love me?” Because you love me, tend my sheep, take care of sinners, spread the message of the Father’s love and mercy. Peter saw that and lived, preached, suffered, witnessed, and was martyred for his fidelity in tending the flock and feeding the sheep.
Let Us Pray:
Jesus, your whole life, message, miracles, and person were a profound message of love, mercy, and care for the poor, hungry, outcasts, and sinners. We know that each one of us stands before you as sinners. You ask each of us, as you asked Peter, “Do you love me?” We respond, yes, we do love you. Then we are told, “Feed my sheep!” Jesus, implore your Holy Spirit to bestow on us an abundance of grace to be your loving and efficacious presence in our corner of the universe, to be instruments of your love, mercy, peace, and reconciliation. Amen.
