Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
May 21, 2021
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Lectionary: 301
Reading I
King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea
on a visit to Festus.
Since they spent several days there,
Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying,
“There is a man here left in custody by Felix.
When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.
I answered them that it was not Roman practice
to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers
and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.
So when they came together here, I made no delay;
the next day I took my seat on the tribunal
and ordered the man to be brought in.
His accusers stood around him,
but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.
Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus who had died
but who Paul claimed was alive.
Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy,
I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem
and there stand trial on these charges.
And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody
for the Emperor’s decision,
I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
Responsorial Psalm
R. (19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them,
he said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Reflection: LOVE MEANS RESPONSIBILITY
One of the classical definitions of love is to seek the good of the other. As a continuation of Jesus' priestly prayer for the unity of his disciples and their mission in the world, Jesus engages Peter in a profound manner. 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?' This is a poignant question, and to a certain extent Peter was put on the spot in the gathering of the disciples. Since Jesus asked the same question three times, the question needs to be explored. What is that these' Jesus refers to when he asks Peter, 'do you love me more than these?' The queue to this question is found in the prayer that Jesus made for his disciples. In as much as Jesus asks Peter to feed, and tend sheep, Peter does not suddenly become a CEO. The danger could be that in exercising the responsibility of shepherding, 'other things' might begin to intrude and affect the efficacy of the mission entrusted. At this moment, little did Peter know that taking up such a responsibility of feeding and tending would demand his life. The acts of feeding and tending are not to be understood in terms of physical food, because the Petrine ministry is the larger umbrella that encompasses all the ministries within the Church. Peter, who was called the 'rock,' the 'key." the 'chair' will soon understand that the foundation of the Church is built only on the love of Jesus. Once Jesus gets affirmation from Peter, he asks him to follow. Though Peter denied Jesus later, he realized the love he affirmed to Jesus and never faltered to follow Him till his death. We need to keep up our faith in our master even amidst greatest tribulations.