Reading
John 21:15-19
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Comment
In the epilogue of the Gospel of John, we witness the rehabilitation of the figure of Peter. Jesus asks him for a threefold profession of love, as reparation for his threefold denial. The section presents the use of two synonyms of the verb "to love": filéo and agapáo; the first indicates Peter's love for Jesus; the second expresses the total gift of self.
The name that Jesus uses to refer to Peter is not Cephas ("rock") but "Simon, son of Jonah"; the focus is not on the charisma that had been entrusted to him, but on his fallible humanity. Jesus questions our weakness because humility is the first step to finding reconciliation.
Jesus does not ask Peter how much he wept over his denial of him, how much he did penance, but how much he loves him. Only love makes any expression of repentance acceptable. Those who love a lot will be forgiven a lot (Lk 7:47).
Jesus accompanies the triple question to Peter with the exhortation to take care of his lambs and his sheep.
The role of feeding the flock was usually entrusted to a subordinate of the shepherd, in this case, it indicates devotion to the service of the Lord. The first duty of those whom Jesus places at the head of his Church is to teach the word of God. Love for Christ is shown by caring for the people he acquired through his blood.
Twice Jesus asks Peter if he loves him (with the verb agapáo), and if he is capable of the total gift of himself. But he, mindful of his fall, does not feel able to promise something beyond his capacity and simply professes his love, his human love for Jesus. The third time Jesus places himself at his level and asks him precisely if loves him (with the verb filéo); it is then that he welcomes him for what he is, with his limitations, his frailties openly confessed. It is precisely on these that supernatural grace will be grafted, enabling Peter to carry out his ministry, up to the extreme witness with the gift of life.
Jesus renews to Peter the exhortation that was addressed to the apostles at the beginning of their call: "Follow me!" (v. 19). Peter is not rejected for having failed in his fidelity during the passion but is reconfirmed in faith and love, so that he too can confirm his brothers in turn. Only the humble awareness of being reconciled sinners can make us good ministers of the gospel.
Prayer
Come to the aid, o Lord, of the fragility of our love, to enable us to generously give our lives in the testimony of the gospel. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
