As we inch slowly towards Pentecost Sunday, our Gospel readings give us a sense of coming towards an end. In fact, Chapter 21 of John’s Gospel is an appendix of post-resurrection appearances of Jesus.
Today’s passage is the well-known narrative of the incident with Simon Peter — his tender dialogue with the Lord, his being reinstated as the chief shepherd but also as the apostle who will suffer and die. As we seek to apply to ourselves this Gospel passage, we picture Jesus also asking us, “Do you love me?” And we also picture ourselves affirming repeatedly our love for Him (even if with an occasional sulking, just like what Peter had). Finally, we also picture ourselves being commissioned by Jesus to assume roles and tasks, and even leadership, even if it should require self-denial and sacrifice.
In the end, what counts is simply to follow Jesus. It is in our following Him that we prove our love for Him and fulfill the tasks He gives us. Rather than go about doing as we please, with spiritual maturity definitely comes the self-denial essential to obeying God’s holy will.
Tradition has it that Peter deemed himself unworthy to die like his Master Jesus, and so he asked his executors to let him be crucified inverted — that is, with his head at the bottom part of the cross. Surely our future death won’t have the slightest literal semblance of such a horrible kind of crucifixion. But what matters most is that we glorify God with and in our lives, as disciples of Jesus.Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB
Reflection Question:
Imagine Jesus sitting in front of you, asking, “Do you love me?” What would your answer be?
You know, Lord, that I love You. But may I have the will to show it through my actions, through my life, through my love for others.
St. Gezelin, pray for us.
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