FRIDAY, SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER
Acts 25:13-21; Ps 103:1-2,11-12,19-20; Jn 21:15-19
LOVE CONQUERS ALL
The question of Jesus, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” can be analyzed in two ways: Simon are you ready to give up your boat, fishing net and to deny your career? It is a radical call from Christ to make a firm decision to leave the luxurious life of happiness and joy and devote oneself to the service of God and God’s people. In another way, Jesus calls Peter to love him more than the rest of the disciples. Just before the passion of Christ, Peter had expressed his words of faith in (Mt 26:33) “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away” and in (Jn 6:68) “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” But during the time of trouble and persecution, Peter wasn’t there with Jesus. Perhaps this could be sensed as a warning to Peter to not to swerve from loving Jesus.
Jesus asking the same question to Peter three times indicates the denial of Peter as a symbol. This was the opportunity for Peter to proclaim his love for Christ three times as “Yes, Lord you know that I love you”. And we see Jesus Christ accepting Peter with his loving and forgiving spirit.
The love and faith professed by Peter in Christ carried along with it some responsibilities as the leader of the Apostles: Firstly, to lead the flock of Christ in faith and hope: Jesus by shedding his blood reconciled the people to God and Peter had to surrender his life for Christ and to the Church to strengthen this relationship. Secondly, the love for Christ made Peter to die for him on the Cross, he died on the Cross in Rome for his faith in Jesus Christ. It is clear that love calls for a life of self-renunciation and dedication. If we love Christ truly, we must be ready to accept the cross and the responsibility along with it with a generous mind. In our faith and dedicated life let us not lose our faith and courage in Jesus Christ. Let us live our lives always united in Christ and in his teachings.
Response: The Lord has fixed his throne in heaven.
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