Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
Today's reading from St. John's Gospel is an important one. At a literal level it gives us a glimpse into the Petrine ministry of the Pope. St. Peter had already been installed into a special position by Jesus, as evidenced in Matthew 16:17-19, a call to special leadership and responsibility among the apostles, which would carry over to his successors. We see in the account of the Last Supper in Luke 22 Peter's role as one of service, where Jesus tells him to strengthen his brothers. In this passage, after St. Peter has already fallen away denying Jesus 3 times, Jesus reinstates St. Peter to this special unique role which future popes would follow. St. Peter is singled out to feed Jesus' lambs, tend Jesus' sheep, and feed Jesus' sheep. In a word, St. Peter is called to be a shepherd to the people of God. This involves providing spiritual food, the Eucharist, as well as material food for sustenance. And indeed, this is the Pope's role today. At an allegorical level, however, this important passage speaks to us as well about our own roles as Christians. We too are called to help tend the flock, and feed those who need food. When we find "sheep" who need tending, it is our job too to help out and meet those needs. Sometimes we may find lost sheep, and that tending may take on a special form, perhaps a form of loving witness to help those sheep find their way home. At other times we may encounter sheep who are not lost, but still need help. We likewise need to help meet the material needs of others, such as food and security, as best as we can.
As we complete this Easter season, let us contemplate ways in which we, like St. Peter, can live out this Christian responsibility to meet the needs of others. In two days we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, a feast of spiritual empowerment. Let us use this time in prayer to rely upon God's empowerment so that we may live out our Christian vocation better throughout Ordinary time which we are about to enter.
- Jeff Morrow