Message of Abbot Paul - Friday - 10th May 2024

Abbot Paul • May 9, 2024

Today our Gospel passage from John, (Jn 21: 15-19), takes us on from the Last Supper to one of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples. It takes place on the shore of Lake Galilee, where Jesus has encouraged his disciples to cast out deeper into the waters for a miraculous catch and then shared breakfast with them. It’s at this point that we pick up the story, with the conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter. “After they had eaten, he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” Why would Jesus ask Peter three times whether he loves him? Could it be because Peter denied him three times? Or, perhaps, to make sure and confirm that Peter was making a firm commitment to the love that demands service and self-giving, for each time Peter replies that he does, even to the extent of becoming angry and impatient that Jesus should ask him three times, Jesus replies by saying, “Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep”. Do we love Jesus as Peter did and to what does that love commit us?

Then Jesus warns Peter of what that love will ultimately lead to and the death he will face for love of Jesus. “I tell you most solemnly, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go. In these words, he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’” You could say that the Gospel story begins with the calling of the first disciples, Jesus saying to those he has chosen, “Follow me.” Now the Gospel ends with the very same words, “Follow me,” for in life and in death, Jesus calls us to follow him, to take up our cross daily and follow him, to preach the Gospel by our faithfulness and humility, our love and generosity, by the very integrity of our lives. Let us remember those words of Jesus every day, no matter where we are or what we’re doing, in any and every circumstance, “Follow me.” May the Holy Spirit empower us to say with Peter, “You know, Lord, that I love you.” Amen.

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