On these last two weekdays of Easter, our Gospel passage
comes from the epilogue and the very last chapter of John’s Gospel. Saint John’s Gospel has often been called, “the
Gospel of Love” for in it Saint John speaks of God’s love so many times. It should be no surprise that the final story
of the final chapter of his Gospel is a conversation about love.
The Easter Season began following the Paschal Triduum in
which Jesus showed us the depths of his love, pouring himself out in the
Eucharist and in humble service on Holy Thursday, pouring out his very blood in
his Passion on Good Friday. God’s love
was shown to be more powerful than death itself, when Jesus Rose triumphant on
Easter Sunday. Hopefully, in the seven
weeks of easter, each of you through prayer and witness have encounter God’s
love in a more profound way.
In the weeks following the Easter Season we celebrate
liturgically the Solemnities of The Holy Trinity and the Body and Blood of
Jesus and the Feast of the Sacred Heart—all celebrations of Love being part of
God’s very nature, and how that love is poured out upon us.
The wonderful Gospel story this morning continues to show us
the depth of God’s love. Remember that
Peter had denied Jesus three times, and three times Jesus offers Peter an
opportunity to profess his love. Jesus
could have chosen another “more faithful” disciple to be the head of the
apostles, but Jesus once again entrusts his lambs to Peter. Whatever has happened in the past, whatever
sins or failures, Jesus offers an opportunity to begin again, and his love for
us is the starting point.
This Gospel also reminds
us that love of God requires more than lips service. Jesus asks us, do you love me? If you do, feed my sheep. If we love Jesus, we will seek to feed others
with His Word, by spreading his Gospel.
May we seek that life changing encounter with God’s love in
prayer today, and may our love for God increase, that we may be ever faithful
in his service for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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