THE SHEPHERDS IN THE CHURCH

Introduction
Many today refuse to accept the shepherd image which God attributes to himself (for example, Ez 24), which Christ claims for himself and which he gave to the apostles. Are the faithful no more than a docile sheep? Are the Pope, bishops and priests who “dominate in the name of truth, repress in the name of morality, and keep ‘the flock’ infantile in the name of God’s goodness?” (Bernard Feuillet, Journal de la Vie 78, p. 25) Not if they understand their mission of service and self-giving. Not if they are shepherds in Christ’s way. Not if they are agents and centres of unity for their people.

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, 19-20Aab
R. (19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. 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
R. 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:
There is a sea-change in the post-resurrection Peter. There has been a move from first-person- centred, grandiose pronouncements to God-centred, humble confessions. Take a look at the Peter before Jesus’s death: After Jesus predicted that one of the disciples would betray him, Peter declared, thumping his chest: “I will lay down my life for you” (Jn 13:37). The declaration smacked of insensitivity to the painful news of Jesus’s betrayal as well as arrogance in the heart of Peter. But now, after his humiliating failure, Peter wouldn’t dare make anymore “I” statements before Christ. To Jesus’s question, “do you love me?” Peter would repeatedly answer “You know that I love you.” And the third time around, there is an absolute surrender before Christ who knows what is in the hearts of people (Jn 2:25): “You know everything. You know that I love you.” Peter would rather trust Jesus to know him better than he could ever know himself.
Which Peter do I resemble in my life? The one before the Crucifixion of Christ or the one after the Resurrection of Christ?

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!