Third Sunday of Easter:C: May 1, 2022

 PETER'S DECLARATION OF LOVE

First Reading: Acts 5: 27-32 and 40-41

Second Reading: Apocalypse 5: 12-14

Gospel Reading : John 21: 1-19

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter and other Apostles are cautioned by the Jewish authorities. They are ordered not to preach in the name of Jesus. But the Apostles continue to preach boldly and fearlessly and tell the people: "We must obey God rather than men." It is a message we too need to adhere to in difficult and challenging situations of life. The Apostles proclaim to the people that they are witnesses to the death of Jesus on the cross but God has  raised Him and glorified Him.

   *Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. St. John narrates a heavenly vision of the glorified Jesus under the image of the lamb that was slain as a sacrifice. 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. The appearance of the risen Lord to seven of the Apostles on the shore of the sea of Tiberius is described. During their encounter with the risen Lord, the Lord Jesus asks Peter the one and the same question three times: "Do you love me?" Before His crucifixion and death, Peter had denied Him three times. Now Peter is asked to profess his love for the Lord three times in public. After Peter expresses his deep love for the Lord,  the risen Lord tells Peter that he would be the foundation, the source of strength and the unity in the new community of the faithful. Peter's story is one of calling, falling and recalling. Peter certainly failed when Jesus needed him most. But Jesus' call does not exclude falls. The risen Lord calls Peter to move forward in faith. He asks him to declare his love. Peter is entrusted with the care of the community of the faithful with the words: "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep". In many ways we too are like St. Peter. We too have our many failures. We too need someone who understands our weakness and failures. We too need someone who encourages us to overcome our failures. The risen Lord is always there to help us to go forward in times of crisis and failures. We in turn should be willing to extend the same understanding and love towards others, especially those who fail us.