Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Lectionary: 301
Lectionary: 301
King Agrippa and Bernice arrived
in Caesarea
on a visit to Festus.
Since they spent several days there,
Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying,
“There is a man here left in custody by Felix.
When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.
I answered them that it was not Roman practice
to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers
and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.
So when they came together here, I made no delay;
the next day I took my seat on the tribunal
and ordered the man to be brought in.
His accusers stood around him,
but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.
Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus who had died
but who Paul claimed was alive.
Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy,
I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem
and there stand trial on these charges.
And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody
for the Emperor’s decision,
I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
on a visit to Festus.
Since they spent several days there,
Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying,
“There is a man here left in custody by Felix.
When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.
I answered them that it was not Roman practice
to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers
and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.
So when they came together here, I made no delay;
the next day I took my seat on the tribunal
and ordered the man to be brought in.
His accusers stood around him,
but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.
Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus who had died
but who Paul claimed was alive.
Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy,
I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem
and there stand trial on these charges.
And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody
for the Emperor’s decision,
I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
Responsorial
Psalm103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20AB
R. (19a) The Lord has
established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaJN 14:26
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 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.”
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.”
For the readings of the Optional Memorial
of Saint Paul VI, Pope, please go here.
Meditation: "Do you
love Jesus more than these?"
The
Lord Jesus asked Simon Peter and he asks each one of us a very personal and
profound question - do you love me more than anything else that might be very
dear to you? How can the love of Jesus Christ be so attractive and so costly at
the same time? Jesus on many occasions spoke to his disciples about the nature
of God's unquenchable love. God is love (1 John 4:16) because
he is the creator and source of all that is true love. His love is
unconditional, unmerited, and unlimited. We can't buy it, earn it, demand it.
It is a pure gift, freely given, and freely received. God's love doesn't change
or waver. It endures because it is eternal and timeless. It’s the beginning and
the end - the purpose for which God created us and why he wants us to be united
with him in a bond of unbreakable love. And it’s the essence of what is means
to be a son or daughter of God the eternal Father.
Love
gives all for the good of others
The Lord Jesus shows us that love is a personal choice and a gift freely given - it is the giving of oneself to another person for their sake. Unselfish love is oriented wholly to the good of the other person for their own welfare and benefit. John the Evangelist tells us that "God so loved the world that he gave us his only-begotten Son" (John 3:16) who took on human flesh for our sake and who died upon the cross for our salvation - to set us free from the power of sin so that we might receive abundant everlasting life and peace with God.
The Lord Jesus shows us that love is a personal choice and a gift freely given - it is the giving of oneself to another person for their sake. Unselfish love is oriented wholly to the good of the other person for their own welfare and benefit. John the Evangelist tells us that "God so loved the world that he gave us his only-begotten Son" (John 3:16) who took on human flesh for our sake and who died upon the cross for our salvation - to set us free from the power of sin so that we might receive abundant everlasting life and peace with God.
God's
love heals and transforms our lives and frees us from fear, selfishness, and
greed. It draws us to the very heart of God and it compels us to give him the
best we have and all we possess - our gifts, our time, our resources, our full
allegiance, and our very lives. Paul the Apostle tells us that God’s
love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been
given us (Romans 5:5). What can quench such love? Certainly fear, sin,
pride, indifference, disbelief, and the loss of hope and trust in God's
promises and his mercy towards us.
Do
you love me more than these?
Why did Jesus question Peter's loyalty and love three times in front of the other apostles? It must have caused Peter great pain and sorrow since he had publicly denied Jesus three times during the night of Jesus' betrayal and condemnation by the religious authorities who had sought to kill him. Now Peter, full of grief and deep remorse, unequivocally stated that he loved his master and was willing to serve and obey him whatever it might cost. When Jesus asks him "do you love me more than these?" Jesus may have pointed to the boats, fishing nets, and catch of fish from the night's work. He may have challenged Peter to abandon his work as a fisherman for the task of shepherding the community of God's people. Jesus may have also pointed to the other disciples and to Peter's previous boast: "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away" (Matthew 26:33). Peter now makes no boast or comparison but humbly responds: "You know that I love you."
Why did Jesus question Peter's loyalty and love three times in front of the other apostles? It must have caused Peter great pain and sorrow since he had publicly denied Jesus three times during the night of Jesus' betrayal and condemnation by the religious authorities who had sought to kill him. Now Peter, full of grief and deep remorse, unequivocally stated that he loved his master and was willing to serve and obey him whatever it might cost. When Jesus asks him "do you love me more than these?" Jesus may have pointed to the boats, fishing nets, and catch of fish from the night's work. He may have challenged Peter to abandon his work as a fisherman for the task of shepherding the community of God's people. Jesus may have also pointed to the other disciples and to Peter's previous boast: "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away" (Matthew 26:33). Peter now makes no boast or comparison but humbly responds: "You know that I love you."
We
love because he loved us first
The Lord Jesus calls each one of us, even in our own weakness, sins, and failings, to love him above all else. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) in his Confession wrote:
The Lord Jesus calls each one of us, even in our own weakness, sins, and failings, to love him above all else. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) in his Confession wrote:
"Late
have I loved you, O Beauty so ancient and so new. Late have I loved you! ...You
shone your Self upon me to drive away my blindness. You breathed your fragrance
upon me... and in astonishment I drew my breath...now I pant for you! I tasted
you, and now I hunger and thirst for you. You touched me! - and I burn to live
within your peace" (Confession 10:27).
Nothing
but our own sinful pride and stubborn wilfullness can keep us from the love of
God. He loved us first and our love for him is a response to his exceeding
graciousness and mercy towards us. Do you allow God's love to fill your heart
and transform your life?
"Lord
Jesus, inflame my heart with your love and burn away everything within it that
may be unloving, unkind, ungrateful, unholy, and not in accord with your will.
May I always love what you love and reject what is contrary to your love and
will for my life."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Do you love me? Feed my sheep, by
Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Christ
rose again in the flesh, and Peter rose in the spirit because, when Christ died
in his passion, Peter died by his denial. Christ the Lord was raised from the
dead, and out of his love he raised Peter. He questioned him about the love he
was confessing and entrusted him with his sheep. After all, what benefit could
Peter confer on Christ by the mere fact of his loving Christ? If Christ loves
you, it is to your advantage, not Christ's. And if you love Christ, it is to
your advantage, not Christ's. And yet Christ the Lord wanted to indicate how
people ought to show that they love Christ. And he made it plain enough by
entrusting him with his sheep. 'Do you love me?' 'I do.' 'Feed my sheep.' All
this once, all this a second time, all this a third time. Peter made no other
reply than that he loved him. The Lord asked no other question but whether he
loved him. When Peter answered, our Lord did nothing else but entrust his sheep
to him." (excerpt from SERMON 229n.1.4)
FRIDAY, MAY 29, JOHN 21:15-19
EASTER WEEKDAY
(Acts 25:13b-21; Psalm 103)
EASTER WEEKDAY
(Acts 25:13b-21; Psalm 103)
KEY VERSE: Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep" (v.17).
TO KNOW: For each of Peter's three denials, the Risen Lord gave him three opportunities to profess his devotion to him. There are two Greek words used for love in this passage. Agape love is sacrificial love, the love that God has for the Son and for all created beings. Phileo love has a different connotation, referring to human affection or friendship. Jesus asked Peter twice, "Do you love me?" (Agapas me?). Peter replied, "I love you" (Philo se). The third time, Jesus asked, "Do you love me like a friend?" (Phileis me?). Jesus wanted Peter to know he accepted him in friendship and forgave him for his disavowal of knowing him. To each expression of love, Jesus told Peter to feed his flock. Like Jesus the good Shepherd, Peter would lay down his life for the sake of the sheep (Jn 10:11). He would walk the same road to the cross that Jesus walked.
TO LOVE: In what ways do I feed the Lord's flock?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, I pray for all the shepherds of the Church, especially Pope Francis
Friday 29 May 2020
St Paul VI
Acts 25:13-21. The Lord has set his throne in
heaven – Psalm 102(103):1-2, 11-12, 19-20. John 21:15-19.
‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
Jesus’ commission to Peter – ’Feed my lambs; feed my sheep’ – is
a mandate for anyone who follows our Lord in faith. We are called to be living
extensions of Jesus in the present. United with his Spirit, it is our task to
show forth in word and action – by the witness of our lives – his saving
presence. Concern and care in very practical ways – paying attention to the
physical and spiritual needs of others – are indispensable if the disciple’s
life is to reflect faithfully the Master who came ‘not to be served, but to
serve’ (Matthew 20:28).
Lord, give me eyes to see as you see, hands that are willing to
help, a heart that is compassionate and courageous, and unshakeable trust in
the power of your grace to transform my life. In so doing, give me an
attentiveness with which to serve those I meet.
Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat
Saint of the Day for May 29
(December 12, 1779 – May 25, 1865)
Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s Story
The legacy of Madeleine Sophie Barat can be found in the more
than 100 schools operated by her Society of the Sacred Heart, institutions
known for the quality of the education made available to the young.
Sophie herself received an extensive education, thanks to her
brother Louis, 11 years older and her godfather at baptism. Himself a
seminarian, Louis decided that his younger sister would likewise learn Latin,
Greek, history, physics and mathematics—always without interruption and with a
minimum of companionship. By age 15, she had received a thorough exposure to
the Bible, the teachings of the Fathers of the Church and theology. Despite the
oppressive regime Louis imposed, young Sophie thrived and developed a genuine
love of learning.
Meanwhile, this was the time of the French Revolution and of the
suppression of Christian schools. The education of the young, particularly
young girls, was in a troubled state. Sophie, who had discerned a call to the
religious life, was persuaded to become a teacher. She founded the Society of
the Sacred Heart, which focused on schools for the poor as well as boarding
schools for young women of means. Today, co-ed Sacred Heart schools also can be
found, along with schools exclusively for boys.
In 1826, her Society of the Sacred Heart received formal papal
approval. By then she had served as superior at a number of convents. In 1865,
she was stricken with paralysis; she died that year on the feast of the
Ascension.
Madeleine Sophie Barat was canonized in 1925.
Reflection
Madeleine Sophie Barat lived in turbulent times. She was only 10
when the Reign of Terror began. In the wake of the French Revolution, rich and
poor both suffered before some semblance of normality returned to France. Born
to some degree of privilege, Sophie received a good education. It grieved her
that the same opportunity was being denied to other young girls, and she
devoted herself to educating them, whether poor or well-to-do. We who live in
an affluent country can follow her example by helping to ensure to others the
blessings we have enjoyed.
Lectio Divina: John 21:15-19
Lectio Divina
Friday, May 29, 2020
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
You have appointed shepherds in Your Church
to speak Your word to us
and to build community in Your name.
We pray You today:
May they be shepherds like Your Son
who look for those who have lost the way,
bring back the stray, bandage the wounded
and make the weak strong.
May they all be ministers
of Your tender love and service,
as Jesus was, Your Son and our Lord.
You have appointed shepherds in Your Church
to speak Your word to us
and to build community in Your name.
We pray You today:
May they be shepherds like Your Son
who look for those who have lost the way,
bring back the stray, bandage the wounded
and make the weak strong.
May they all be ministers
of Your tender love and service,
as Jesus was, Your Son and our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - John 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."
3) Reflection
• We are in the last days before Pentecost. During the time of
Lent, the selection of the Gospels of the day continues the ancient tradition
of the Church. Between Easter and Pentecost, the Gospel of John is preferred.
And thus, during these last days before Pentecost, the Gospels of the day
narrate the last verses of the Gospel of John. When we return to Ordinary Time,
we will go back to the Gospel of Mark. In the weeks of Ordinary Time, the
Liturgy proceeds to a continuous reading of the Gospel of Mark (from the 1st to
the 9th week of Ordinary Time), of Matthew (from the 10th to 21st week of
Ordinary Time) and of Luke (from the 22nd to the 34th week of Ordinary Time).
• The Gospel readings for today and tomorrow speak about Jesus’
last encounter with His disciples. It was an encounter of celebration, marked
by tenderness and affection. At the end Jesus calls Peter and asks him three
times, “Do you love Me?” Only after having received three times the same
affirmative response, Jesus entrusts to Peter the mission of taking care of the
sheep. In order to be able to work in the community, Jesus does not ask many
things of us. What He asks of us is to have much love!
• John 21:15-17: Love at the center of the mission. After a
whole night of fishing in the lake catching not even one fish, they go to the
shore. The disciples discover that Jesus has prepared bread and roasted
fish for them. When they finish eating, Jesus calls Peter and asks him three
times, “Do you love Me?” Three times, because Peter denied Jesus three times
(Jn 18:17,25-27). After the three affirmative responses, Peter also becomes a
“Beloved Disciple” and receives the order to take care of the sheep. Jesus does
not ask Peter if he has studied exegesis, theology, morals, or canon law. He
only asks, “Do you love Me?” Love in the first place. For the communities of
the Beloved Disciple the force which supports and maintains unity is love.
• John 21:18-19: The foreshadowing of death. Jesus tells Peter,
“Truly I tell you: when you were young, you put on your own belt and walked
where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and
somebody else will put a belt around you and take you where you do not want to
go!” Throughout life, Peter, and we too, gain maturity. The practice of love
will take root in life and people will no longer be the bosses of their own
life. Service to the brothers and sisters out of love will prevail and will
lead us. How we dress is often a reflection or necessity of the work we do. If
we choose to accept it, God can “dress” us in new clothing for a new
destination according to His wants, and send us where we may not want to go.
Somebody else will put a belt around you and take you where you would rather
not go. Fro Peter there is a the meaning, as the Evangelist comments: “He tells
him this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God.”
Then Jesus adds: “Follow Me.”
• Love in John – Peter, do you love Me? – The Beloved Disciple.
The word love is one of the words which we use most nowadays. Precisely because
of this, it is a word that has been greatly worn out. But the communities of
the Beloved Disciple manifested their identity and their own intentions by this
word. To love, is above all, a profound experience of relationship among people
in which similar sentiments and values prevail - a care and concern for the
other over oneself, as well as joy, sadness, suffering, growth, renunciation,
dedication, fulfillment, gift, commitment, life, death. All these together are
summarized in the Bible in one single word in the Hebrew language. This word is
hesed. It is hard to translate into our language. Generally, in our Bibles it is
translated by charity, mercy, fidelity or loving kindness. The communities of
the Beloved Disciple sought to live this practice of love in a very radical
way. Jesus revealed this in His encounters with people with sentiments of
friendship and tenderness, as for example, in His relationship with the family
of Martha and Mary of Bethany: “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”
He weeps before the tomb of Lazarus (Jn 11:5,33-36). Jesus always embodies His
mission in a manifestation of love: “having loved His own, He loved them to the
end” (Jn 13:1). In this love, Jesus manifests His profound identity with the
Father (Jn 15:9). For His communities there was no other commandment except
this one: “to act as Jesus acted” (1 Jn 2:6). This presupposes “love of the
brethren” (1 Jn 2:7-11; 3:11-24; 2 Jn 4-6). Being such a central commandment in
the life of the community, love is defined by John as follows: “This is the
proof of love that He laid down His life for us and we too ought to lay down
our lives for our brothers.” Our love should not be just words or mere talk but
something active and genuine.” (1 Jn 3:16-17). Anyone who lives this love and
manifests it in words and attitudes becomes a Beloved Disciple.
4) For Personal Consideration
• Look within yourself and say, “What is the most profound
reason that motivates me to work in the community – love, or a concern for
ideas?”
• Jesus asks Peter three times. Each time he answers you can feel a rising tension, one that says “what can I do to show you if you don’t believe me?” It isn’t a casual conversation. Do I have this forcefulness in responding to Jesus in my life, or just a casualness?
• Do I allow myself to be dressed by someone else for service to others? Do I go where He leads me? Is my attitude my answer to Jesus’ question: “Follow Me.”?
• What is “my life”? It is not only biological. It is also lifestyle, actions, and identity that come from ego, pride, and self-will. There is something in common though: To “lay down one’s life” has a totality to it. Do I “lay down” my pride, ego, will, wants, and lifestyle for others in my community, or for the “little ones”, the poor or rejected? Is it in totality, or just when it is convenient?
• Jesus asks Peter three times. Each time he answers you can feel a rising tension, one that says “what can I do to show you if you don’t believe me?” It isn’t a casual conversation. Do I have this forcefulness in responding to Jesus in my life, or just a casualness?
• Do I allow myself to be dressed by someone else for service to others? Do I go where He leads me? Is my attitude my answer to Jesus’ question: “Follow Me.”?
• What is “my life”? It is not only biological. It is also lifestyle, actions, and identity that come from ego, pride, and self-will. There is something in common though: To “lay down one’s life” has a totality to it. Do I “lay down” my pride, ego, will, wants, and lifestyle for others in my community, or for the “little ones”, the poor or rejected? Is it in totality, or just when it is convenient?
5) Concluding Prayer
Bless Yahweh, my soul,
from the depths of my being, His holy name;
bless Yahweh, my soul,
never forget all His acts of kindness. (Ps 103:1-2)
from the depths of my being, His holy name;
bless Yahweh, my soul,
never forget all His acts of kindness. (Ps 103:1-2)
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