MEMORIAL OF SAINT CHARLES LWANGA AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS, JUNE 03,2022

MASS READINGS

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Jn 21:15-19

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

REFLECTION

“Do you love me?”

On June 3, 1886, the 25 year old Ugandan Charles Lwanga along with young people from 13-30 were burnt alive for refusing to denounce their Christian faith and to the immoral, unchaste demands of Mwanga, king of Baganda (part of present day Uganda).

They loved Jesus and indeed followed Him. They loved up to the point that they shed their blood to remain true to the Truth. They loved beyond returning to their regular lives.

But how do we show God we love Him? He knows our heart and so in a nice, controlled environment we can say we love Him all we want. But true love is doing, acting, thinking and speaking each day as Christ wants us to do. And in so doing we can pursue a life with Jesus for eternity.

God Bless You