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.”
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.Meditatio (Reflecting)
Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.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.”
Oratio (Responding)
Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.This reading ends with Jesus Christ, the Lord of the universe telling Peter (the head of his church), that he would die a martyr’s death and telling him to “follow me.” I think this both means, that Jesus is saying to Peter to not be afraid of this kind of death, that there is also glory in it, and that God will give him the strength he needs for the journey. And that it is only by following Jesus, that he will ultimately have the courage and fortitude to do so.
While not many of us will die the martyrs death, this advice is also for us today as well. Persecution is everywhere, catholics are the most hated group of people in the world. Why? Because most catholics do not play the “go along to get along” game. Obviously some do, and even some bishops have fallen for the devil’s lies, but as a whole the catholic church is the one institutions of this world, that stands against the spirit of the times, and has done so for 2000 years.
The world tells us that abortion is life affirming, that love is love, and that boys are girls and vice versa. This nonsense is now considered mainstream. But the church on the other hand says No, This can never be accepted! But the christians (both in the laity and magisterium) that have the courage to reject what the world is offering, is getting smaller and smaller. There may come a time when we have to stand all alone for our faith, and we might be persecuted for our faith. If you take, for example, of all of the people that have been jailed for protesting outside abortuaries, you will notice that his is already happening.
If this persecution comes to your front door, do not be afraid…, this is actually a time of glory for you. You will be able to show the whole world that what it has to offer is nothing in compared to God’s promises and eternity with Him. Do not shrink at that moment, stand up straight and say “Christ is King!, I am a child of God, and I will not denounce Him.” The martyrs crown is one of the highest honors that God can give one of his souls, and it will bring you closer to Him than any other thing you can do in this world. Imagine what it will feel like when the Lord says to you… “well done my good and faithfull servant.” There is litterally nothing more important than that.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.Resolutio (Resolving)
Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.Oh lord, I pray that someday I can stand before you and hear those wonderful words.