MY daily reflection and prayer:
Sunday , April 10, 2016
Third Sunday of Easter
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. John 21: 1-19
After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead. 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.” 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.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
WE have meditated the first part of today’s Gospel on the first friday of this month. So now, let’s focus on the second one.
To Simon Peter Jesus says, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He answers him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus says to him, “Feed my lambs.” Three times Jesus says it to Simon Peter. And Simon Peter answers him three times too. Here Jesus is telling Peter that the qualification for the job is unlimited love.
We know that Jesus has given Peter a job, and he expects him to do it. But Peter has proven himself unworthy. On the night of the Last Supper, he ran away when Jesus was arrested. He denied Jesus three times in the house of the High Priest on the night Jesus was handed over. In each instance, his fear was greater than his love. When Jesus needed him most, Peter turned away from him.
What is Jesus’ response? We may think: Why does Jesus not take away the leadership position from Peter and give it to someone else? Hasn’t John shown that he is better suited to be the leader of the apostles, to be the rock Jesus can build his Church on? He never ran away or denied Jesus. Even, John is called his beloved disciple.
Yet Jesus does not take the job away from Peter and give it to John. Rather, he turns to Peter again and expresses his confidence in him. So Jesus says to him three times, “Feed my lambs.”
To Jesus’ questions, Simon Peter gives an answer, saying, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Of course, Simon Peter has a deep love for Jesus, but not deep enough.
Like Peter, we love Jesus the Lord, but not deep enough. We want to love him more and more but when difficult moments come: temptations, opposition, even persecution, we fail. Like Peter, we come up short. We easily deny him too.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist while worshipping Jesus Christ we thank to him for his reaction to us is the same. Jesus Christ does not lose confidence in us. He expects us to grow into the job.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you need a love without limits from each of us. That is why you ask Peter three times, “Do you love me?” You are telling Peter that the qualification for the job is unlimited love. Encourage us like you encouraged Peter, so we can fulfill all you expect from us in this life. Help us not to be lazy in serving you now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
