Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 103)
Response:
The Lord has fixed his throne in heaven.
Gospel Acclamation:
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Gospel: (John 21:15–19)
After they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
A second time Jesus asked, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter replied, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Tend my sheep.”
A third time Jesus asked, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him the third time, and he answered, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus then said, “Feed my sheep.”
Jesus told Peter that one day he would stretch out his hands and glorify God by his death. Then he said to him:
“Follow me.”
Reflection:
The encounter between Jesus and Peter in today’s Gospel is one of the most moving moments in Scripture. It takes place after the resurrection. Peter, who once denied Jesus three times, now stands face to face with the risen Lord.
And Jesus asks him the same question three times:
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Why does Jesus repeat the question? Is he doubting Peter’s love? Is he trying to embarrass him? No. Jesus is healing Peter. The threefold profession of love is meant to heal the wound caused by Peter’s three denials.
Peter had failed. Out of fear and weakness, he denied even knowing Jesus. Yet Jesus does not reject him. Instead, he gives Peter the opportunity to begin again.
By the third question, Peter is hurt. He feels sorrow deep within himself. And so he responds with words filled with humility and honesty:
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Peter no longer trusts in his own strength. Before, he boldly claimed he would never abandon Jesus. But now he places everything before the Lord’s all-knowing heart.
“Lord, you know everything.”
What God knows about us is very important. Human beings may judge us by our failures, mistakes, weaknesses, or past sins, but God sees deeper. He reads the heart. He knows our intentions. He knows the struggle within us.
Even when we fall through weakness, God desires to see whether our hearts still love him.
That is why Jesus asks each one of us today:
“Do you love me?”
He calls us by name and asks us personally.
Despite our sins and weaknesses, do we truly love God? Because if we truly love him, then even after falling, we will regret our sins and desire to return to him. Love always seeks reconciliation.
Peter denied Jesus, but because his heart truly loved the Lord, he could not remain far away forever. His love drew him back.
The same is true for us. When we genuinely love God:
we feel sorrow for sin,
we desire conversion,
we seek forgiveness,
and we try again after every fall.
Jesus then entrusts Peter with a mission:
“Feed my sheep.”
What a remarkable thing. Jesus gives this responsibility not to the perfect disciple, but to the disciple who failed and repented.
Why not John? Why not another apostle who did not deny him publicly? Because the Lord is interested not in perfection alone, but in love, humility, repentance, and fidelity.
Peter understood human weakness. Therefore, he could become a compassionate shepherd.
Today, Jesus gives the same mission to all of us in different ways. Parents feed the sheep by raising children in faith. Priests feed the sheep by preaching and administering the sacraments. Teachers, catechists, and all Christians are called to guide others toward God.
But an important question remains:
Do we feed the sheep, or do we feed on the sheep?
Do we serve others with love, gentleness, and care, or do we use people for selfish gain, pride, power, or recognition?
So today, let us say with Peter from the depths of our hearts:
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
And may that love move us always to repentance, fidelity, and service.
Amen.
Have a wonderful weekend.
God bless you 🙏
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