A Gospel according to Jn 21:15-17
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."
REFLECTION
"Do you love me?" and he said to him,
"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."
Pope John XXIII is known as "Il Papa Buono", "The Good Pope".
Fifty Nine years ago, in 1963, Pope John XXIII wrote his encyclical "Pacem in Terris", or "Peace on Earth". This is a very complete work on how individuals, families, society, and the world would be in harmony if they followed some principles.
Right now, at this point of my life, it is very easy to give thanks to God and pray to Him in gratitude. What would happen if somehow something or someone tried to take away my human dignity, or that of my family? Would I still be grateful to God? Would I, at least, pray to Him to help me?
I read in social media from our brothers and sisters on how they would endure anything for Christ. I have to confess, I am not sure I could. Perseverance until our last breath is one of those things we don't have assured. We even pray in the Our Father: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil".
The Good Pope tells us in his encyclical:
"Let us, then, pray with all fervor for this peace which our divine Redeemer came to bring us. May He banish from the souls of men whatever might endanger peace. May He transform all men into witnesses of truth, justice and brotherly love. May He illumine with His light the minds of rulers, so that, besides caring for the proper material welfare of their peoples, they may also guarantee them the fairest gift of peace."
