Church of the
Annunciation

After the trauma of the crucifixion, Peter and some of the disciples return to Galilee to their homes and former occupation. Peter announces: “I am going fishing.” They don’t catch a fish. Jesus appears (though unrecognized) on the shore and kindly directs the disciples to lower their nets on the right side of the boat. They have a great catch. The beloved disciple realizes the one on the beach is the Lord. Peter jumps in. When they all gather ashore, Jesus invites the disciples to have breakfast with him – what else but grilled fish and bread. When they finish breakfast, Jesus asks Peter in front of the guys: “Do you love me more than these?” Peter who denied knowing Jesus 3 times, now publicly expresses his love for Jesus three times. To each affirmation of love, Jesus asks Peter to feed and tend the sheep. What is happening? The Risen Lord is renewing his bonds with the disciples and restoring the office of Good Shepherd to Peter. The Greek text is important. Jesus is speaking of a love that is selfless and sacrificial. Peter is speaking of a love for a best friend. Jesus accepts Peter’s love but predicts that when Peter grows older he will stretch out his hands and be taken to where he does not wish to go. (Jesus was foreseeing the death Peter would endure for him.) Peter’s fraternal love will deepen to a selfless and sacrificial love for Jesus Christ. Today at Mass with Peter we can express our “friendship” love to Jesus and pray for God’s grace that our love will deepen and become “agape” – total self-giving for the good of the other.