Gospel Reflection

John 21:1-19

Each of the Gospels, whether it is Matthew. Mark, Luke or John recount many incidents in which Peter played a prominent role—be it positive or somewhat negative. There is no doubt that the early Church understood that Peter held a unique position among the twelve apostles. Jesus has a special concern for Peter’s understanding of what he—Jesus—had come to accomplish. “’Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.’

Today’s Gospel, taken from John, recalls an extremely touching moment in Peter’s life. It was one of the first occasions in which Peter was able to be with Jesus after he rose from the dead. During the harrowing hours of Christ’s passion, the faltering Apostle denied knowing the Saviour three times, just as Jesus had foretold. Now he was in Galilee following the instruction Jesus had given them even before his death on the Cross. He still felt, no doubt, a great shame over his recent behaviour. When he realized—after the miraculous catch of fish—that it was Jesus who was on the shore, he jumped into the sea and swam to meet him. After breakfast, Our Lord took him aside and they went for a walk. The young John—full of affection and a certain degree of curiosity—trailed a little behind. He heard Jesus asking Peter three times: “Do you love me?” And Peter’s anxious and heartfelt replies ended in: “You know all things, you know that I love you.” Each time that Peter professed his love and loyalty, Jesus told him: “Feed my sheep.”

It was Our Lord’s renewal of Peter’s commissioning as his “vicar” - that is, his representative, the caretaker of his loved disciples, his faithful ones. There must always be some one person who most definitely represents Christ among his followers, to whom is entrusted the ultimate authority and who is called to unite all the others around the person of Christ. Such is the nature of the role of the Roman Pontiff—the Popes throughout the centuries.

They are the successors of Peter as the “vicar of Christ.” For that reason we show them honour and obedience and we treat them with an affection not unlike that which we would want to show to Christ himself.

St. Josemaria, like so many of the saints in the Church, was deeply moved by this desire to be united to the Bishop of Rome. In one of his homilies he preached: “The Catholic Church is roman. I savour that word, roman! I feel completely roman, since roman means universal, catholic. For it leads me to love tenderly the Pope, il dolce Cristo in terra, as Saint Catherine of Siena, whom I count as a most beloved friend, liked to repeat..... To be roman does not entail any manifestation of provincialism, but rather of authentic ecumenism. It presupposes the desire to enlarge the heart, to open it to all men with the redemptive zeal of Christ, who seeks all men and takes in all men, for he has loved all men first.”

The College of Cardinals that will meet in Conclave as of May 7 for the election of Pope Francis’ successor have asked the faithful to pray for them.

“The College of Cardinals gathered in Rome, engaged in the General Congregations in
preparation for the Conclave, wishes to invite the People of God to live this ecclesial moment as an event of grace and spiritual discernment, listening to the will of God,” read the statement.

The Cardinals said they feel “the need to be supported by the prayers of all the faithful,” since they are aware of their responsibility in choosing the next Successor of Peter.
 
Prayer, they added, “is the true force that in the Church promotes the unity of all the members of the one Body of Christ.”

“Faced with the enormity of the task ahead and the urgency of the present time,” said the
Cardinals, “it is first of all necessary to make ourselves humble instruments of the infinite
wisdom and providence of our Heavenly Father, in docility to the action of the Holy Spirit.”
“May the Blessed Virgin Mary accompany these prayers with her maternal intercession,”
concluded the Cardinals’ declaration.