Third Sunday of Easter
As we meditate on the third apparition of the Resurrected One narrated in this Sunday’s Gospel (Jn 21:1-19), the figure of St. Peter stands out for his attitudes towards Our Lord.
With his characteristic fiery temperament, Simon is the first to throw himself into the water to meet the Divine Master, who awaits them on the shore; he is the one who runs to haul the net full of fish that He requested; he is the one who makes amends, with three acts of love, for his defection on the night of the Passion (cf. Jn 18:15, 25-27); and finally, he is the shepherd appointed to care for the flock and who will seal his primacy by the martyrdom prophesied by Jesus.
Each of these moments of the simple but sublime narration reveals, even in the context prior to Pentecost, some of the characteristics of the true shepherd of souls.
When the first Pope throws himself into the water and swims towards “the Lord” (Jn 21:7), he shows us that we must face any obstacles to be close to the Redeemer, even – or especially! – if we are not yet perfect.
By hastening to cast the net from the boat to catch some fish as Jesus requested, he shows that the shepherd, even though his mission is to govern the flock, must always be in an attitude of service towards both the sheep and their Supreme Owner.
When he makes reparation, before the other Apostles, for his threefold denial, he shows how unacceptable, for a spiritual guide, are ambiguous attitudes or words that could cause confusion among the faithful. Love must be proclaimed in broad daylight, in a clear way! And if there have been errors that have caused scandal, a public retraction is also necessary.
The appropriateness of these attitudes is emphasized by the Divine Shepherd when, confirming Peter three times in the role of shepherding the flock, He uses the expressions: “Feed my lambs” and “Feed my sheep” (Jn 21:15-16). Each member of the Mystical Body of Christ belongs to Our Lord. The Pope is His representative, but not the owner of the flock; he is His vicar, but he will have to give a strict account of his own administration.
How can we discern the degree of fidelity in pastors? The first reading (Acts 5:27b-32; 40b-41) shows St. Peter transformed by the Paraclete and recognizing His action in himself: “We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:32). And the sign that he truly possesses Him is his obedience to the divine mission of preaching the Gospel, even if he has to oppose the whole world. The world – with its false prophets who teach error – seeks to silence the truth and persecutes those who bear the stamp of God’s gift.
Furthermore, when the pastor is authentic, he must take his dedication to the extreme, carrying the staff of the cross. Willing to surpass all limits of heroism, he always has before him the prospect of giving his life for the sheep through martyrdom, if – what glory! – God so determines. In this sense, what a testimony the first Pope would give of not being a mercenary, but a true disciple of the Lord of the flock, as Jesus prophesies in this Sunday’s Gospel!
Let us pray that God sends us shepherds after His own heart and gives us the evangelical acuity to discern the true from the false. ◊
