" PETER'S CONFESSION"
First Reading: Acts 5: 27-32, 40-41
Second Reading: Apocalypse 5: 12-14
Gospel Reading : John 21: 1-19
* First reading is from the Acts of Apostles. This passage narrates how Peter and other Apostles were cautioned by the Jewish authorities and they were ordered not to preach in the name of Jesus. But the Apostles boldly and fearlessly spoke to the people saying "we must obey God rather than men"- a lesson which we too need to adhere to in difficult and challenging situations of life. The Apostles proclaimed to the people that they were witnesses to the death of Jesus on the cross but God raised Him and glorified Him.
* Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. In this passage St. John narrates a heavenly vision of the glorified Jesus under the image of the lamb that was slain. A hymn in praise of the crucified and risen Christ is narrated.
"Do you love me more than these?"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This passage describes the appearance of the Risen Lord to seven of the Apostles on the shore of the sea of Tiberius. During their encounter the Lord asked Peter the one and the same question three times: "Do you love me?" Before His crucifixion and death, Peter had denied Jesus three times. Now he is asked to profess his love for the Lord three times in public. After Peter professed his love for the Lord Peter was told by the Lord that he would be the foundation, the source of strength and the unity in the community of the faithful.
Peter's story is one of calling, falling and recalling. Peter certainly failed Jesus when he needed him most. But Jesus' calls does not exclude falls. Risen Lord called Peter to move forward in faith. He asked him to declare his love in public. Having declared his love Peter was entrusted with the care of the entire community of faithful. He was told to "feed my lambs, feed my sheep".
We too are like St. Peter. We too have our failures. We need someone who can understand our weaknesses and failures and need encouragement to overcome our failures. Risen Lord is there to help us to go forward in times of crisis and failures.
We in turn should be ready to extend the same understanding and love towards others especially those who fail us.
First Reading: Acts 5: 27-32, 40-41
Second Reading: Apocalypse 5: 12-14
Gospel Reading : John 21: 1-19
* First reading is from the Acts of Apostles. This passage narrates how Peter and other Apostles were cautioned by the Jewish authorities and they were ordered not to preach in the name of Jesus. But the Apostles boldly and fearlessly spoke to the people saying "we must obey God rather than men"- a lesson which we too need to adhere to in difficult and challenging situations of life. The Apostles proclaimed to the people that they were witnesses to the death of Jesus on the cross but God raised Him and glorified Him.
* Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. In this passage St. John narrates a heavenly vision of the glorified Jesus under the image of the lamb that was slain. A hymn in praise of the crucified and risen Christ is narrated.
"Do you love me more than these?"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This passage describes the appearance of the Risen Lord to seven of the Apostles on the shore of the sea of Tiberius. During their encounter the Lord asked Peter the one and the same question three times: "Do you love me?" Before His crucifixion and death, Peter had denied Jesus three times. Now he is asked to profess his love for the Lord three times in public. After Peter professed his love for the Lord Peter was told by the Lord that he would be the foundation, the source of strength and the unity in the community of the faithful.
Peter's story is one of calling, falling and recalling. Peter certainly failed Jesus when he needed him most. But Jesus' calls does not exclude falls. Risen Lord called Peter to move forward in faith. He asked him to declare his love in public. Having declared his love Peter was entrusted with the care of the entire community of faithful. He was told to "feed my lambs, feed my sheep".
We too are like St. Peter. We too have our failures. We need someone who can understand our weaknesses and failures and need encouragement to overcome our failures. Risen Lord is there to help us to go forward in times of crisis and failures.
We in turn should be ready to extend the same understanding and love towards others especially those who fail us.
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