Today’s gospel is one of those scenes that will probably mess you up if you truly enter into it and stand in Peter’s shoes. I’m sure I’m not the only one among us that has a great big tender spot that aches at the thought of being betrayed by a close friend, and/or knows how hard it is to forgive someone that has denied your friendship when the going got rough. Three times Peter denied his best friend, and three times Peter’s heart was broken because of his own sin. Raise your hand if you have ever broken your own heart with your actions. I have. When I am broken because of sin the first thing I want to do is run away and hide, and that is exactly what Peter did. While Peter was hiding, his best friend died on the cross and Peter missed it because he was too turned in on himself to be there. I also know this kind of fear and the shame that accompanies it. Jesus knew the turmoil of Peter’s heart and he wanted to completely restore Peter to show him and us that he came to cover our sin and our shame and our brokenness.
If you’ll recall he was on the shore watching his best friends trying to get back to some sort of normal by going fishing. I bet he spent some time just observing them and how they were dealing with their pain, struggling to understand, and trying to make sense of their new reality. He might have done some reminiscing of their time together, the stories, the laughter, the intimate teaching moments, the growth that each one of them did, and the beautiful journey of their friendship. I get a real sense of tender love from Jesus for his boys in this scene. He had breakfast waiting for them. I just love that part! He knew that he needed to connect with Peter in a special way so he took him aside and he started by using his original name, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Reminding him of his name was an important way for Jesus to say, “I know you.” Peter’s response, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” “Then feed my lambs.” This same conversation took place three times, covering all three times that Peter denied Jesus, and fully restoring their relationship. This same exchange happens each time I deny knowing Jesus. He reminds me who I am, asks me if I love him, he gives me a chance to profess my love, and he shows me how to make that love known. There is not one utterance of condemnation or rebuke or fear-based shaming in this moment of complete renewal. Jesus stands on the shore and watches how we are with one another. He recognizes the agony in our heart, the pain that we carry, the shame of our denial, the broken heartedness, the fear, the feelings of unworthiness, and the need to be treasured. He calls us to him with gifts of nourishment and intimacy. He tenderly identifies us by name and he entrusts us with the beautiful mission to love because of his love for us. Jesus’ restoration of our hearts is that gentle and that merciful and that simple. “Feed my lambs.” It is well with my soul.
Reading 1ACTS 25:13B-21
King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea
on a visit to Festus.
Since they spent several days there,
Festus referred Paul's case to the king, saying,
"There is a man here left in custody by Felix.
When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.
I answered them that it was not Roman practice
to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers
and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.
So when they came together here, I made no delay;
the next day I took my seat on the tribunal
and ordered the man to be brought in.
His accusers stood around him,
but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.
Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus who had died
but who Paul claimed was alive.
Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy,
I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem
and there stand trial on these charges.
And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody
for the Emperor's decision,
I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar."
on a visit to Festus.
Since they spent several days there,
Festus referred Paul's case to the king, saying,
"There is a man here left in custody by Felix.
When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.
I answered them that it was not Roman practice
to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers
and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.
So when they came together here, I made no delay;
the next day I took my seat on the tribunal
and ordered the man to be brought in.
His accusers stood around him,
but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.
Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus who had died
but who Paul claimed was alive.
Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy,
I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem
and there stand trial on these charges.
And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody
for the Emperor's decision,
I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar."
Responsorial Psalm PS 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20AB
R.(19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia JN 14:26
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel JN 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."
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."
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