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."

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."

Peter’s story is also ours. Many times we hesitate to respond to God’s offer of forgiveness because like Peter, we recognize that God is responding to our past rejections with acceptance and the offer of a second chance. We fear that our betrayal is so grave that God would never take us back. We may even proudly refuse to face Him.

Peter shows us the alternative: to humbly insist, “Lord, You know everything, even my weaknesses, but also that I love You.” Jesus then gives him the responsibility of tending his flock. For our “yes” to God, we also receive the mission of sharing His love and mercy with others. This is something we cannot hope to do unless we first know these gifts ourselves, as Peter did. We will find them gradually changing the way we relate to one another. We become more patient, generous and compassionate as we get to know how much God loves all of us deeply, even those who may not seem very lovable to us at first. The more we grow in love for Jesus, the better and more faithfully we will care for those He has entrusted to us.

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Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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