3rd Sunday of Easter - Year C

I think all of us have had the experience of letting someone down—and then feeling that awkwardness or heaviness when we meet them again for the first time. This is exactly how Peter must have felt after the Resurrection of Jesus. Who knows how much he regretted and pondered to himself: “What will happen now? Will He still love me? Will He forgive me? Most of all, will He still trust me to lead His Church?” Surely Peter’s heart was troubled.

To understand today’s Gospel, we must keep this context in mind.Let us remember that just a few days earlier, Peter had boldly declared that he was ready to die for Jesus. He had said it sincerely—but at a moment when he had forgotten his own weakness. Just hours later, as Jesus had predicted, Peter denied knowing Him—not once, but three times. Imagine the remorse Peter must have felt when he remembered what he had promised, and especially the moment when—as the Gospel of Luke tells us—Jesus was being led away to Caiaphas, turned, and looked Peter in the eyes.

In today’s Gospel, which takes place just a few days after Jesus’ resurrection, we find Peter restless and unsure of what to do. Burdened by his thoughts, he decides to return to his former life—as a fisherman.

Jesus then repeats the miracle He had worked at the beginning of His ministry: the miraculous catch of fish. And just like that first time, it is followed by Jesus calling Peter to follow Him. It's clear what Jesus is doing: He is rebuilding the identity of His disciples, especially Peter, whose sense of self had been shaken when he denied Jesus during the Passion. All had abandoned Him—except John—and Peter had even denied Him three times.

Yet Peter is a man who loves Jesus deeply. And although he had denied Him, as soon as he hears John say “It is the Lord!”, he throws on his clothes and jumps into the sea—he can’t wait for the boat to reach shore. For him, the fish he had just caught no longer mattered.

After they had eaten and sat together around the fire, Jesus turns to Peter and asks that great question:“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”How could Peter now claim to love more than the others? But in great honesty, just as he had denied Jesus three times, Peter now professes his love three times. And Jesus, in front of them all, reaffirms him three times: “Feed my sheep.”

Through this, Jesus is healing Peter’s wounded heart, and once again establishing him as the head of His Church. How beautiful this account is—and how much it helps us to understand the depth of God’s love for us, sinners and weak like Peter.

Today, let us pray that the Lord gives His Church a successor to Peter according to His own heart—so that the Church may always be led closer to the eternal pastures.

Lord Jesus, give us hearts like Peter’s: hearts that acknowledge their faults and weaknesses, but above all, hearts that love You as he loved You. Help us to remember that when we fall, You always forgive us, always love us, and never, ever give up on us. Amen.