A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
Jesus said to Simon 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.” 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.”
Today’s Gospel from John tells the story of Peter’s encounter with Jesus after his resurrection, where he appears to Peter and the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” For Peter’s threefold denial before Jesus’ death, Jesus now gives Peter a threefold invitation to love and serve him. The consequence of Peter’s commitment, his yes to following the Lord, will mean his life is no longer his own. And the “someone else” who dressed and led Peter is the same Christ, who desires the same for me as he did for Peter: that I love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and that I love my neighbor as myself.
God, help me understand that to follow you means abandoning my own will for yours. Help me joyfully surrender every gift you have given me as a means to give you glory. Peter became distressed when Jesus asked him a third time “Do you love me?” Countless times from that moment on Peter must have heard that question in his heart. Lord, you know I love you; you know also that because of sin, I will fail you, myself, and others in giving you due glory. Help me listen out for you throughout the day and receive your grace so that I can hear your voice and follow you.
Lord, stay with me today. When inevitable conflicts come, help me remember to ask for your guidance and to know and do your will. Saint Philip Neri, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.