Readings for Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 25:13b-21
Here we see the interesting secular response to the “Christian Controversy” from the perspective of St. Luke’s portrayal of the dialog between King Agrippa and Festus. St. Paul’s protective custody is about to be moved to Rome as the Lord, in our reading yesterday, intended.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
Psalm 103 is an individual hymn of praise. In this passage, the song acknowledges the blessings the Lord has given to those who believe in him and then proclaims the universality of his reign.
Gospel John 21:15-19
We skip ahead now to events following the passion and resurrection. Jesus has already revealed himself to the disciples in the “locked room”. He now addresses himself to St. Peter. Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times during the night of the Lord’s arrest. He now recants that betrayal with a three fold response to Jesus questions.
The First Vatican Council cited these verses in defining that Jesus, after his resurrection gave Peter the jurisdiction of supreme shepherd and ruler over the whole flock. It is interesting to note that this section of St. John’s Gospel is referred to by scripture scholars as “Peter’s rehabilitation”.
Reflection:
The scripture selections we are provided today give us a number of options for reflection. We can consider St. Paul’s situation and how it is clear that the secular leadership, by investigating the claims of the Sanhedrin and those of St. Paul are confounded. How could this Jesus who had been executed and declared dead by the Centurion at the site, be alive? Paul said he was and using this situation he followed the Lord’s command to take the Word to Rome.
We can also look at the Gospel in which a couple very important events take place. First, Jesus now focuses his attention on St. Peter. Poor St. Peter found the burden of leadership handed to him with the keys to be a trial. When Jesus was taken, Peter had denied even knowing him three times. In this passage, he takes it upon himself. Three times he tells the Lord he loves him, three times the Lord provides St. Peter with his mission; “Feed my lambs.”, “Tend my Sheep.”, "Feed my Sheep.”
“Feed my lambs.” This was not a trivial statement, an accidental simile. The symbolism was intended to provide part of St. Peter’s mission. Feed my lambs – nurse them from their infancy. Kids need intense attention and constant feeding. St Peter was charged with nursing the infant Church.
“Tend (look after) my Sheep.” Again the analogy gives the second part of St. Peter’s responsibility. The infant Church once fed will tend to scatter, to become lost. St. Peter must look after them, make sure they are kept safe from influences that would destroy them.
“Feed my Sheep.” Once the lambs have grown to a point where they no longer need nursing, they still must be fed so they can grow and thrive. The Church needs to be fed, not just tended. They must be given wholesome food, a clear expression of the need for the Eucharist, the food that, unlike manna that their ancestors ate in the wilderness, would bring everlasting life.
In the end we see how deeply the Lord charged St. Peter and why to this day that mandate is placed upon the pontiffs who have followed him – nurture, care for, and feed the flock that has now spread across the whole world.
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 25:13b-21
Here we see the interesting secular response to the “Christian Controversy” from the perspective of St. Luke’s portrayal of the dialog between King Agrippa and Festus. St. Paul’s protective custody is about to be moved to Rome as the Lord, in our reading yesterday, intended.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
Psalm 103 is an individual hymn of praise. In this passage, the song acknowledges the blessings the Lord has given to those who believe in him and then proclaims the universality of his reign.
Gospel John 21:15-19
We skip ahead now to events following the passion and resurrection. Jesus has already revealed himself to the disciples in the “locked room”. He now addresses himself to St. Peter. Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times during the night of the Lord’s arrest. He now recants that betrayal with a three fold response to Jesus questions.
The First Vatican Council cited these verses in defining that Jesus, after his resurrection gave Peter the jurisdiction of supreme shepherd and ruler over the whole flock. It is interesting to note that this section of St. John’s Gospel is referred to by scripture scholars as “Peter’s rehabilitation”.
Reflection:
The scripture selections we are provided today give us a number of options for reflection. We can consider St. Paul’s situation and how it is clear that the secular leadership, by investigating the claims of the Sanhedrin and those of St. Paul are confounded. How could this Jesus who had been executed and declared dead by the Centurion at the site, be alive? Paul said he was and using this situation he followed the Lord’s command to take the Word to Rome.
We can also look at the Gospel in which a couple very important events take place. First, Jesus now focuses his attention on St. Peter. Poor St. Peter found the burden of leadership handed to him with the keys to be a trial. When Jesus was taken, Peter had denied even knowing him three times. In this passage, he takes it upon himself. Three times he tells the Lord he loves him, three times the Lord provides St. Peter with his mission; “Feed my lambs.”, “Tend my Sheep.”, "Feed my Sheep.”
“Feed my lambs.” This was not a trivial statement, an accidental simile. The symbolism was intended to provide part of St. Peter’s mission. Feed my lambs – nurse them from their infancy. Kids need intense attention and constant feeding. St Peter was charged with nursing the infant Church.
“Tend (look after) my Sheep.” Again the analogy gives the second part of St. Peter’s responsibility. The infant Church once fed will tend to scatter, to become lost. St. Peter must look after them, make sure they are kept safe from influences that would destroy them.
“Feed my Sheep.” Once the lambs have grown to a point where they no longer need nursing, they still must be fed so they can grow and thrive. The Church needs to be fed, not just tended. They must be given wholesome food, a clear expression of the need for the Eucharist, the food that, unlike manna that their ancestors ate in the wilderness, would bring everlasting life.
In the end we see how deeply the Lord charged St. Peter and why to this day that mandate is placed upon the pontiffs who have followed him – nurture, care for, and feed the flock that has now spread across the whole world.
And us? We are called to help with this task which is now too vast for one man to do alone. We hear the word and our hearts are asked; “Do you love me?”
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Apostles Peter and Paul” by Correggio, 1520-24
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Apostles Peter and Paul” by Correggio, 1520-24
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