TEND AND FEED MY SHEEP
>>> Sts. Charles Lwanga & Companions: The Martyrs Of Uganda
Introduction
In 1886, barely a few years after Christianity had been introduced in Uganda, King Mwanga, fearing that Christianity would put an end to his lucrative slave trade, started a persecution; his first victims were the pages of his court, even some of his relatives among them, who had refused to submit to his perverse solicitations. Thirteen of the pages, headed by Charles Lwanga, were burned to death, Catholics and Protestants alike. They kept their promise “not to stop praying as long as we live.” Many others followed; twenty-two of them were canonized by Paul VI in 1964. They are the first saints from young, black Africa and seeds of African ecumenism.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
your young, holy martyrs from Uganda
were willing to lay down their lives
rather than to give in to evil.
We ask you today for the courage
of your Holy Spirit of wisdom and strength
to be always consistent in our faith
and to respond to your love
also when it demands sacrifices.
We ask your this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
1 Reading: ACTS 25:13B-21
King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea on a visit to Festus. Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There is a man here left in custody by Felix. When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation. I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge. So when they came together here, I made no delay; the next day I took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected. Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
Responsorial PSALM 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20AB
R. (19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven. or: Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits. R.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us. R.
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding. R.
Alleluia: JOHN 14:26
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: 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.”
Commentary
Love with Holes
In the “You know that I love you” confession of Peter, there is more than a confession of love—there is the confession of love’s failings as well. At the successive repetition of the question by Jesus, Peter’s confession reveals a deepening awareness of the imperfections of his love; and at the third time, he would preface it thus: “Lord, you know everything…” Peter knows that his master knew that his love had holes. His was a love which, even when it boasted of its fidelity in the light of the day, would grow cold feet in the dark of the night. Peter now realizes that to love as his Master loved, he must let the Master do the loving through him. This confession of holes in his love was enough for the Master to soon pour in his Spirit of love into him. Peter’s love would then grow feet and wings. And here we are!
Intercessions
– Lord, we pray to you for your shepherds in the Church. They are our shepherds. May their love overflow on us, their people, we pray:
– Lord, that love may be the key to the living faith of the Church, both in us the faithful and in our leaders, we pray:
– Lord, let the Holy Spirit fill us with a compassionate love for the poor and the weak among us, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God of our youth,
with bread and wine we express
that we want to follow your son Jesus Christ
also when it is difficult to do so.
Give us the strength
and a young, lively and strong faith
to do so in all circumstances of life.
For you are dear to us and we love you
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Almighty God,
those who have heard the word of your Son
and who have received the food
of his body and blood
let their lives express their fidelity
even in the face of oppression and persecution.
May they receive from you
the blessing of your kingdom
with a happiness that no one
can ever take away from them.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Blessing
“Do you love me? Do you let me lead you?” This is a question Jesus asks us, weak and fickle people. And may our answer be in words and deeds a wholehearted “yes.” May Almighty God confirm you in your love and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!