Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: June 6, 2025

Date: Friday of the 7th Week of Easter

Scripture Text:  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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today recounts Jesus giving Peter the opportunity to atone for his three denials of Jesus before Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Three times, Peter confesses his love for Christ. There is something else going on here. Jesus tells Peter, whom Jesus earlier names head of His Church on earth (“You are Peter and upon this rock I shall build my Church.”). During this conversation, Jesus is also giving Peter the command to sanctify, to teach and govern: feed my sheep – sanctify – bring them the Eucharist and the sustaining graces of the sacrament; feed my lambs – teach – give them the truth that they may digest it and it become part of their being; tend my sheep – govern – lead them with love as Christ did.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How has Christ extended to me the opportunity correct my failures?

Praying:

LORD, Your mercy endures forever. We come before You, aware of our failings, aware of those times we turned away from You rather than toward You. Forgive us, LORD. Send your Spirit to strengthen our resolve and concretize our commitment to loving You always and everywhere, privately and before non-believers. Grant that we may become instruments of your divine plan for the salvation of the world, that we might bring the good news of your love to others and bring others to You so that they may discover your love for them. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.