Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Gospel Reading: John 21:15-19

"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"

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.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus questions Peter about his commitment. What is it that Christ wants of Peter? He wants Peter to feed and tend his flocks. Peter realizes that Jesus will not be with them much longer and Jesus is placing a major responsibility on his shoulders. Jesus asks us the same question every day, “Do you love me?” How do you respond to this Question? “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." It is easy to say we love God, but it is much more difficult to show that we love God. If we truly love God, then we will feed and tend his flock. God is love. His love is unconditional. So must our love for the members of God’s flock. We must reach out our arms to all of humanity. We cannot limit our love. We must not exclude anybody. God’s love has been poured out to us through the Holy Spirit. The only thing that can kill this love is our own denial and indifference to Christ and the Word of God. God’s love is given to us freely. We only have to accept it. But when we accept it, we must share it with others freely. If we truly love God, he has only one thing to say to us, “Follow me.”

A Simple Prayer

Lord God, you are love.

You are the love that burns within me.

May your love conquer all the things

that keep me away from you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon