You -- Follow Me

     Jesus said to Peter, “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.” And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me” (Jn. 21 vs. 18b, 19b).

       Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved. When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me” (Jn. 21 vs. 20b, 21-22).

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     Don’t you just love St. Peter? We are so very much like him in his humanness! Jesus had just told him that life will not turn out quite the way he thought. Peter’s response is to ask, “What about him?” Jesus wastes no time in putting Peter in his place and redirects Peter’s attention back to himself.

God is Counting on Us

     When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to 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.”  (Jn. 21 vs. 15-19)

      After Christ’s resurrection, the apostles had gone back to their comfort zone of fishing. They had been fishing all night and caught nothing. At dawn, while still in the boat, Jesus came and learning of their fruitless night, instructed them for a great catch. St. John recognized Jesus and told Peter. Peter, filled with great love, jumped overboard to go to Jesus. Jesus had started a charcoal fire on shore and invited the apostles to breakfast.
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