Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Showing posts with label John 21:15-19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John 21:15-19. Show all posts
Friday, May 22, 2026
Friday, May 17, 2024
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
Fishermen love their sport more than most other things. When they arrive at the water, they take off their watches. For fishermen a successful day fishing is not one in which they catch many fish but just one spent on the water. Because of the unique absorption of fishermen with their occupation, Jesus gauges Peter’s capacity for leadership with a question regarding his preference for him over fishing.
Peter is not only a fisherman by trade but a fisher of men and women by religious profession. Now Jesus wants him to undertake a new role. He is to be the shepherd of his flock; that is, he will oversee the care of the community of believers. Before he confers on him the ministry, he tests Peter with a question. He asks Peter if he loves him “more than these.” Some think that “these” refers to the other disciples in the sense that Peter loves Jesus more than the other disciples do. But it is more likely that “these” refers to the accoutrements of fishing. When Peter assures Jesus of his predilection of him to nets, boats, lines and hooks, Jesus puts him in charge of the Christian community.
Pope Francis seems to be a worthy successor of Peter. His love for the Lord and his flock is palpable. Although this generation has been blessed with other gracious popes, Francis has shown a unique capacity to care for all people. As much as the Church is mother of all peoples populating the planet, Francis has exhibited the desire to touch them with God’s mercy.
Friday, May 26, 2023
Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, priest
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
It is often noted that in this gospel Jesus’ three-time questioning
of Peter’s love compares with Peter’s three-time denial of him. However, the purpose of the questioning is
not always speculated. The probable
reason for the repeated question is to assure that Jesus’ Church would be well
cared for. By reminding Peter of his failure,
Jesus strengthens his resolve to do everything he can to serve him. Such love will carry Peter to martyrdom.
The love Jesus requires from Peter is not unique. He asks the same love from all priests. They too are shepherds who tend his
sheep. Unless they would do anything for
Jesus, some of the flock may wander astray.
Promising such love, priests are asked to remain celibate in imitation
of Jesus. They will have fewer personal
responsibilities so that they can give themselves fully to pastoral service.
Today the Church celebrates one of her most famous priests,
Philip Neri, “the Apostle of Rome.” Philip’s care for his expansive flock
demonstrated a deep love of the Lord. Philip
was sought after by all kinds of people – rich and poor, high priests and
simple workingpersons. His wisdom,
holiness, and, indeed, humor enabled him to meet most every need.
Friday, June 7, 2019
Friday of the Seventh Week of
Easter
(Acts
25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
Many
evangelical Protestants openly profess their love of Jesus. But surely love of the Lord is as much a
characteristic of true Catholics. Mother
St. Teresa of Kolkata used to describe herself by saying, “By blood, I am Albanian. By
citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I
belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.”
In today’s gospel Jesus uses love for
him as the sole criterion for the substitute leader of his flock. Some will scoff that it is silly to say that
we love someone who died two thousand years ago. They will question what kind of love it is if
the beloved, like a homerun king or a rock star, has millions of professed
lovers. But these objections really do
not faze believers because they know that Jesus is alive and dwells among them
spiritually.
We too can have a personal
relationship with Jesus. By meditating
on the gospel and by caring for the poor, we sense that he is close to us. Because he is God, he can assist all who hold
him as their beloved.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Friday of the
Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
A Marianist brother, like many people, loved to
fish. He used to say that a fisherman takes
his watch off, puts his line in the water, and never worries about time. The brother only confirmed other slogans about
fishing such as, “A bad day fishing is better than a good day at the office.” Understanding how much fisherman love their
occupation helps us appreciate today’s gospel.
Jesus wants Peter to commit himself first and foremost to
him. He asks his disciple, “Do you love
me more than these?” The question is not
meant to show that Peter loves Jesus more than the other disciples love him. How could Peter claim that after denying
Jesus publicly three times? No, the
question seeks to ascertain if Peter will work for Jesus or will return to
fishing. The pronoun “these” refers to
the accoutrements of fishing – boat, nets, and lines. When Peter answers Jesus unequivocally, “’Yes…,’”
Jesus assigns him the task of leadership of the Church.
We should consider ourselves queried in the same way as
Peter. Do we love the Lord more than our
own occupations or other interests? Jesus does not necessarily mean that we
forego other pursuits. However, he does
want us to make him the first priority of our lives. We are to love him more than our work, even
more than our children and our very selves.
It is a tall order to commit to, and it may take a lifetime before we
can comfortably respond, “Yes.” But assent
is required if we are to have the eternal life Jesus promises.
Friday, June 2, 2017
Friday of the
Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
Fishermen seem to love their pastime more than others. When
they arrive at the water, they take off their watches with little urge to know
the time. For fishermen a successful day
fishing is not one in which they catch a quantity of fish but just one in which
they are on the water. Because of the unique
absorption of fishermen with their occupation, Jesus gauges Peter’s capacity
for leadership with a question regarding his preference for him over fishing.
Peter is not only a fisherman by trade but has been
portrayed by the evangelist as a fisher of men and women. Now Jesus wants him to undertake a new
profession. He is to be the shepherd of
his flock; that is, he will oversee the care of the community of believers. Before he confers on him the ministry, he
tests Peter with a trifold question concerning Peter’s love. First of all, he asks Peter if he loves him “more
than these.” Some people think that “these”
refers to the other disciples in the sense that Peter loves Jesus more than the
other disciples do. But it is more
likely that “these” refers to the accoutrements of fishing. When Peter assures Jesus of his predilection of
him to nets, boats, lines and hooks, Jesus puts him in charge of the Christian
community.
Pope Francis seems to be a worthy successor of
Peter. His love for the Lord and his
flock is palpable. Although this
generation has been blessed with other gracious popes, Francis has shown a
unique capacity to care for all people.
As much as the Church is mother of all peoples populating the planet,
Francis has exhibited the desire to touch them with God’s mercy.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
The retired fisherman explained to
his guest what his life was like. He
said that he set out to sea in the middle of the night. There he placed his nets and waited for them
to fill up. Then he hauled in his catch
and brought the fish to market. He was one
with nature, close to God, feeling free and challenged to transcend human
limitations. In the gospel today Jesus tells
Peter to give up this vigorous life for the more troubling task of serving his
people.
Jesus calls Peter “’Simon, son of John’” to indicate the seriousness
of his request. Then he poses the
question, “’…do you love me more than these?’” “These” likely refers to the boat
and gear that Peter uses in fishing. When
Peter assures Jesus that he does, Jesus issues his order to feed his
flock. But he is demanding of Peter more
than that he abandon a fulfilling livelihood.
Because he will be taking Jesus’ place, Jesus is preparing Peter to give
up his life.
“Mary, do you love me more than your job teaching?” “Joseph, do you love me more than work
programming computers?” We should hear
Jesus asking of each of us a similar question.
No, he is likely not going to tell us to give up our occupations. But he does want us to prioritize. We are to love him first – more than husband
or wife, job or career, food or sport.
When we do so, we will find that we will be able to love everyone and
everything, even ourselves, all the better.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
The initial words of Pope Francis after being elected were
telling. He referred to himself as “the bishop
of Rome” and not as “pope,” the spiritual father of the western Church. Much less did he care to be recognized as the
“Vicar of Christ” as if anyone could really take Jesus’ place. No, from the beginning he wished to be identified
with Peter as he appears in today’s gospel.
The Lord asks Peter if he loves him three times corresponding
to Peter’s three denials of him the night before he died. It is not that Jesus is slow to forgive, but
rather he needs to test Peter before naming him caretaker of his flock. Jesus wants to stress that Peter must always act
out of love and never from a will to power or for material gain. Pope Francis took note of this fundamental principle
in that same election address as he described the Church of Rome as “presid(ing)
in charity over all the Churches.”
As we complete the Easter season, we might note that love
is also the purpose of the Paschal mystery.
Jesus died, rose, ascended to heaven, and had the Holy Spirit sent to us
so that we might share divine love. Because
of his ordeal, we have been remade into full children of God capable of loving
selflessly forever.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
Many evangelical Protestants openly profess their love of Jesus. But surely love of the Lord is as much a characteristic of true Catholics. Mother Teresa used to describe herself by saying, “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.”
In the gospel today Jesus uses love for him as the one criterion for service of his lead apostle. Some will scoff that it is silly to say that we love someone who died two thousand years ago. They also will question what kind of love it is if the beloved, like a baseball star or a pop singer, has millions of professed lovers. But these objections really do not faze us because we know that Jesus is alive and dwells among us spiritually. We can even have a personal relationship with him by caring for his body, the Church, and listening to his words in Scripture. Finally, because he is God, we know that he can care for all his lovers with the utmost personal attention.
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
Many evangelical Protestants openly profess their love of Jesus. But surely love of the Lord is as much a characteristic of true Catholics. Mother Teresa used to describe herself by saying, “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.”
In the gospel today Jesus uses love for him as the one criterion for service of his lead apostle. Some will scoff that it is silly to say that we love someone who died two thousand years ago. They also will question what kind of love it is if the beloved, like a baseball star or a pop singer, has millions of professed lovers. But these objections really do not faze us because we know that Jesus is alive and dwells among us spiritually. We can even have a personal relationship with him by caring for his body, the Church, and listening to his words in Scripture. Finally, because he is God, we know that he can care for all his lovers with the utmost personal attention.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is an allegory of communism -- a society supposedly without leaders. Every animal is claimed to be equal to every other. No farmers remain to force any animal to do what he/she does not wish. The situation, of course, soon becomes inoperable. Some of the animals begin to claim that they are “more equal” than the others. The same division of labor ensues as when the farmers were in charge, but the situation is worse with new found tyranny not tempered by experience.
There is some evidence that the early Church saw no need for a leader to replace Jesus. His disciples expected Jesus to return soon after his going to the Father. Everyone associated with the various communities of disciples understood the primacy of love. With such high motivation, is a leader really necessary? Today’s gospel indicates that there is indeed such need if the institution’s existence stretches to any appreciable length. For this reason Jesus is seen appointing Peter as chief shepherd of his flock. But love is to play a major role in his leadership.
To assure that Peter understands what he is saying when he gives him authority over his following, Jesus has Peter profess his love to him three times. Later this love will be tested in an even more revealing way. When Jesus tells Peter that someone will lead him where he would not otherwise go, he is predicting Peter’s martyrdom. Leadership is fraught with pitfalls. Based on self-sacrificing love and guided by the Spirit’s gifts of justice and prudence, however, leaders perform an indispensable and necessary service.
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is an allegory of communism -- a society supposedly without leaders. Every animal is claimed to be equal to every other. No farmers remain to force any animal to do what he/she does not wish. The situation, of course, soon becomes inoperable. Some of the animals begin to claim that they are “more equal” than the others. The same division of labor ensues as when the farmers were in charge, but the situation is worse with new found tyranny not tempered by experience.
There is some evidence that the early Church saw no need for a leader to replace Jesus. His disciples expected Jesus to return soon after his going to the Father. Everyone associated with the various communities of disciples understood the primacy of love. With such high motivation, is a leader really necessary? Today’s gospel indicates that there is indeed such need if the institution’s existence stretches to any appreciable length. For this reason Jesus is seen appointing Peter as chief shepherd of his flock. But love is to play a major role in his leadership.
To assure that Peter understands what he is saying when he gives him authority over his following, Jesus has Peter profess his love to him three times. Later this love will be tested in an even more revealing way. When Jesus tells Peter that someone will lead him where he would not otherwise go, he is predicting Peter’s martyrdom. Leadership is fraught with pitfalls. Based on self-sacrificing love and guided by the Spirit’s gifts of justice and prudence, however, leaders perform an indispensable and necessary service.
Homilette for Friday, May 9, 2008
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(John 21:15-19)
George Orwell’s Animal Farm pictures a society without leaders. On paper it seems like a good idea. Every animal is equal. There are no farmers around to make the animals do what they do not wish. In reality the situation quickly deteriorates. Soon every animal is equal but some are more equal than others. The same division of labor follows as when the farmers were in charge, but there is worse oppression. Orwell intended the novel as an allegory for totalitarianism in twentieth century Russia. We can also read it as a warning about leaderless societies.
There is some evidence that the early Church saw no need for a leader to replace Jesus. His disciples expected Jesus to return soon after his going to the Father. Everyone associated with the various communities of disciples understood the primacy of love. With such high motivation, is a leader really necessary? Today’s gospel indicates that there is indeed such need if the institution’s existence stretches to any appreciable length. For this reason Jesus is seen appointing Peter as chief shepherd of his flock.
But Peter is to be a leader different from most. The basis of his authority is love for Jesus. To assure that Peter understands what he is saying, Jesus has Peter profess his love three times. Later this love will be tested in an even more revealing way. When Jesus tells Peter that someone will lead him where he would not otherwise go, he is predicting Peter’s martyrdom. Peter did, in fact, die crucified like Jesus nailed on a cross.
Leadership is fraught with pitfalls. Leaders may abuse their authority to become tyrannical or they may neglect their duties to grow ineffectual. Based on self-sacrificing love and guided by the Spirit’s gifts of justice and prudence, however, leaders perform an indispensable and necessary service. Especially in contemporary times the Church has been blessed with great leaders in the line of Peter.
(John 21:15-19)
George Orwell’s Animal Farm pictures a society without leaders. On paper it seems like a good idea. Every animal is equal. There are no farmers around to make the animals do what they do not wish. In reality the situation quickly deteriorates. Soon every animal is equal but some are more equal than others. The same division of labor follows as when the farmers were in charge, but there is worse oppression. Orwell intended the novel as an allegory for totalitarianism in twentieth century Russia. We can also read it as a warning about leaderless societies.
There is some evidence that the early Church saw no need for a leader to replace Jesus. His disciples expected Jesus to return soon after his going to the Father. Everyone associated with the various communities of disciples understood the primacy of love. With such high motivation, is a leader really necessary? Today’s gospel indicates that there is indeed such need if the institution’s existence stretches to any appreciable length. For this reason Jesus is seen appointing Peter as chief shepherd of his flock.
But Peter is to be a leader different from most. The basis of his authority is love for Jesus. To assure that Peter understands what he is saying, Jesus has Peter profess his love three times. Later this love will be tested in an even more revealing way. When Jesus tells Peter that someone will lead him where he would not otherwise go, he is predicting Peter’s martyrdom. Peter did, in fact, die crucified like Jesus nailed on a cross.
Leadership is fraught with pitfalls. Leaders may abuse their authority to become tyrannical or they may neglect their duties to grow ineffectual. Based on self-sacrificing love and guided by the Spirit’s gifts of justice and prudence, however, leaders perform an indispensable and necessary service. Especially in contemporary times the Church has been blessed with great leaders in the line of Peter.
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