GOSPEL: John 21:1-19​

Later on, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, 'I'm going fishing.' They replied, 'We'll come with you.' They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night. When it was already light, there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, 'Haven't you caught anything, friends?' And when they answered, 'No,' he said, 'Throw the net out to starboard and you'll find something.' So they threw the net out and could not haul it in because of the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' At these words, 'It is the Lord,' Simon Peter tied his outer garment round him (for he had nothing on) and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net with the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land. As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, 'Bring some of the fish you have just caught.' Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, 'Who are you?'. They knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead. When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' A second time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' He replied, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Look after my sheep.' Then he said to him a third time, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt that he asked him a third time, 'Do you love me?' and said, 'Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep. In all truth I tell you, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.' In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, 'Follow me.'

REFLECTION

This week Jesus asks Peter a difficult question. He asks Simon Peter if he loves Jesus more than “these.” I wonder how Peter reacted to this question? Was he upset that Jesus asked this question? Did Peter wonder what Jesus was getting at? Was he concerned that Jesus did not trust that Peter loved him?

Regardless of his thoughts or questions, Peter simply answered: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you!” Jesus then tells Peter: “Feed my lambs.” Then a moment later, Jesus again asks Peter the same question and Peter once again told Jesus that he loved him. Jesus then says to Peter: “Tend my sheep.”

However, then Jesus asked Peter the third time: “Do you love me?” Clearly Peter was deeply disturbed that Jesus once again asked him this question. By asking this question three times, he must have some doubts about Peter’s loyalty to him. Peter’s frustration, pain and dismay had to be clearly evident to Jesus. Finally with great frustration in his voice, Peter says: “Lord, you know all things! Clearly you know that I love you!” 

Jesus does not respond directly to Peter’s statement. Rather, He quietly, simply tells Peter: “Feed my sheep.” Jesus also tells Peter that he will be led in a new path, one that is unfamiliar to him. In the future, Peter will not be leading, rather, he will be led. And he will be led to a place where he will not want to go. Peter did not know what to make of Jesus’ statements. 

At times we also may not understand what Jesus is saying to us. However, no matter who we are or what positions we hold, we still are not in charge of our life. Nor can we control what our future will be. However, there is one area of control: we can make the decision to walk with Jesus daily and to trust Him with all our hearts. 

Jesus loves us and is with us every second of the day. Are we willing to give up our illusion of control and place our hand in Jesus’ hand? Jesus loves us and will walk with us every step of the way. Jesus will guide us and strengthen us when we need help to deal with life.

Jesus’ final statement to Peter was: “Follow me.” Today Jesus speaks those same two words to us! Will we follow him? Jesus longs to walk with us each day! The question is: will we walk with him? (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)

MOTHER'S DAY PRAYER SERVICE

At 9am this Friday, May 10th, in the PAC, 1SS will be leading the school in a Mother's Day Prayer Service. We extend a warm welcome to all mothers and other members of our community who would like to come and celebrate with us. We wish all mothers in our community a blessed Mother's Day full of love and happiness.

God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator