Friday Gospel Recharge
A Reflection on John 21: 15-19
(7th Friday of Eastertide, Year B of the Liturgical Calendar, 2024)
Lessons from St Peter
The essence of this gospel centres on St
Peter’s role and leadership in the Church, as well as the death he faces for
following Jesus.
Leadership in this Gospel is highlighted in Jesus’s
conversation with Peter. Jesus speaks only to Peter her, asking him to feed his
sheep, despite the presence of the other ten apostles. This private exchange
underscores St Peter’s unique leadership role.
The nature of St Peter death is not detailed here, only that
he will die for Jesus’s sake. Tradition holds that St Peter’s death was
excruciating; he was crucified upside down at his request, feeling unworthy to
be crucified in the same manner as Jesus.
Contrary to popular culture, the upside-down cross is not a
satanic symbol. Etched on the Chair of Peter, where the pope sits, is an upside
down cross, signifying the martyrdom of St Peter. Our tradition teaches this,
so any accusation of belonging to a satanic cult is unfounded.
This Gospel, while focused on the Apostle’s death, also speaks
to us. Like St Peter, who was crucified for following Jesus, we too are all
called to follow Him, and be prepared to lay down our lives for the Good News.
This is easy said than done. However, we are reminded of Jesus’s love shown on
the cross. If he died for us, should we not be willing to die for him too?
Following Jesus means promising to nourish others. Jesus
tells the Apostle three times to “feed my sheep,” emphasising the cost of
discipleship. Jesus never demands more than we can give. He asks us to give
from what we have, not from what we lack. This recalls the miracle of the
loaves and fish, where Jesus fed five thousand people with just two loaves and
three fishes from his disciples.
We can achieve much with the very little we possess. Our task is to be faithful to Jesus’s call, trusting he can use our small contributions to change many hearts. From the calling of the twelve, Jesus was able to transform countless lives across cultures worldwide. It takes a few dedicated spirits to work wonders.
Like St Peter, we are called to die to our own self-interests for the Gospel’s sake and embrace the possibility of martyrdom if it is so God’s will when carry the Gospel with us. Remember, Jesus said to St Peter - and He tells us - to feed his sheep. Nourishing the flock even at the prospect of martyrdom.
On this seventh and final Friday of Eastertide, let us be
brave enough to say yes to following Jesus, even if it costs us the ultimate
price of our own lives.
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