Greetings on this the Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 25:13b-21; Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab; John 21:15-19
Summary
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”* He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” (Jn 21:15).
He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” (Jn 21:15b).
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” (Jn 21:16).
[Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep (Jn 21:17).
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.” (Jn 21:18).
NABRE Commentary – Originally probably a proverb about old age, now used as a figurative reference to the crucifixion of Peter. [Me again] and for us the hourglass sands reminding us
Reflection
Focus.
Jesus is asking Peter to focus:
- Not on his 3x mistake of denial.
- Not on power and organization.
- Not on self-importance, self-awareness and self-improvement.
Focus instead:
- Focus on the sheep.
- The people whom God loves.
- Love whom I love, says the Lord.
Personal Reflection
When we are young we have a type of reckless abandon in our activities (whether virtuous or otherwise). There is a certain type of power and immortality associated with being young. But now old, I see things much differently. Focus. We need to focus on what we can do and what we use our limited energy for. Not to limit the giving. But to focus the giving in alignment with the gift and the gift giver.
Tend and feed are correlation to protect and guard – a earlier theme of scared readings this week.
The hourglass sands continue to flow. Let them flow in love.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060625.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
If Jesus asked for love before anything else, how often do we get caught up trying to be in control or to prove ourselves instead? What would change if we let love..not fear, not pressure shape how we spend the time we have left?
How often do we get caught up trying to be in control or to prove ourselves instead? Much to my embarrassment, often.
[Shouldn’t] we let love. not fear, not pressure, shape how we spend the time we have left? Yes and yes!
Part of the problem is how we define – The Other of Ourself.
Some define it as self only (no otherness), some very narrowly – Spouse, children, and still some no larger than Country.
How do I want to spend my time left? It’s foggy for me. Sometime very clear and sometimes beyond the mist. My aspirational goal is to define my ‘Self’ as the ‘Connection’. The problem is that is not sound thinking.
A is related to B, B is related to A, the relation of itself does not exist (unless we describe it as Potential). Rather, it is manifestation of the Self/Other mirrored as an interior change.
The good news? You change me. Your writings change me. The most sincere thing we can say to another is… you change me!
You made me sit and think about a lot of things Gerry.. such a deep ocean this topic is.
with eddies and currents. Not to mention the leviathans lurking about. But the majesty and wonder – we dive right in!