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."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."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention - for an end to the fire in northern Arizona.
"Lord, You know everything; you know that I love You ... "
There are times in my life when I say to God these words.
Today I was asked if I could help out a friend of mine by playing a few songs at church tomorrow morning. I am glad that I "know" how to play guitar.
It reminds me of today's reading. My friend knew that I could play the guitar, and he could acknowledge that without me playing it. Yet, it is only realized when I actually play it. Christ knew that Peter desired to love Him, but then Jesus challenges him to do it.
I know that God knows everything; He knows that I "love" Him. What good is it for me to desire to love Him if I do not give of myself so that He may be known and loved? What good is my interior "loving" of God if I am not willing to sacrifice so that others may be holy?
It is disheartening to see so many being fed, and in receiving, proclaiming that they love Jesus. Is that love based on a dependency that flows one way?
How can you then say that you love God if you do not love your neighbor? It is unfortunate that I have been a participant in, "what is good for me is good for me ... and it is independent of you." It is not, because God is ultimately good ... the pinnacle of good ... and with Him, there is no good. Our Lord is worthy of being known by all nations and all peoples. Let us then be participants in the work given to Peter, the first Pope, so that all the nations may be fed by He Who is the Bread of Life.
Take care and God Bless.
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