Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

John 21,15-19

When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' A second time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' He replied, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Look after my sheep.' Then he said to him a third time, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt that he asked him a third time, 'Do you love me?' and said, 'Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep. In all truth I tell you, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.' In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, 'Follow me.'

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The risen Jesus appears for the third time on the shores of the lake of Tiberias. This is the place where Jesus had met the first disciples and called them to follow him. On that same shore, as if to make a new beginning, Jesus encounters them again, after their confusion and scattering. He asks Peter about love three times. Jesus knows that the only thing that will keep Peter bound to him forever is not his sense of duty or strength of will, but his desire to repay the limitless love he has received with his own affection. Jesus questions Peter about the central issue of existence and faith, that is love. Jesus' request in truth never ends, we could say that is to be lived every day. Thus, the question is not only directed at Peter. Jesus asks each disciple, "Do you love me?" It is not about simply the feeling or the emotion of a moment. It is about a strong bond, steady, passionate with Jesus and the others. The love that Jesus asks of Peter is full of responsibility for the Gospel and humanity. After two questions about love and the answer between Jesus and Peter, at the third answer Jesus asks Peter to "feed" his sheep. Jesus' love does not stop to oneself: it is always love also for others. Even in this sense Peter is first: he is the one who teaches us how to love like Jesus and feel responsible for our brothers and sisters. Jesus' final words offer a glimpse of the apostle's future: Peter's path is the path for every disciple who wants to follow the Gospel: only with Jesus can we have true life, a life which also includes suffering. But faith means letting love guide us. Peter does not know where he will end nor by what roads. He knows he will have to suffer, but he is sure that the Teacher will make him able to respond again to the invitation that he had first heard on those same shores: "Follow me!" And Peter, once again, leaves everything, even his pride, and follows him.