FRIDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel John 21:15-19 - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- Jun 7
- 4 min read
FIRST READING - Acts 25:13b-21
A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea
on a visit to Festus.
Since they spent several days there,
Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying,
“There is a man here left in custody by Felix.
When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.
I answered them that it was not Roman practice
to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers
and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.
So when they came together here, I made no delay;
the next day I took my seat on the tribunal
and ordered the man to be brought in.
His accusers stood around him,
but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.
Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus who had died
but who Paul claimed was alive.
Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy,
I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem
and there stand trial on these charges.
And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody
for the Emperor’s decision,
I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 21:15-19
From the Gospel according to John
After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them,
he said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
FRIDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel John 21:15-19
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God,
Today’s Word of God recounts the event of the resurrected Christ appearing to the apostles. In this appearance, Jesus asked Saint Peter three times, "Do you love me?" He asked three times to test Saint Peter's faith and devotion to God. Saint Peter responded, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” After Peter affirmed his love three times, he was entrusted with a sacred mission—to continue the work of Jesus Christ by caring for God’s flock.
God appointed Saint Peter as the head and representative of Christ on Earth, giving him the responsibility to shepherd and preserve the Church that He established. Even to this day, the Church remains holy and pure, always united with Jesus Christ as its head. There is only one Church, one God, and one Jesus Christ. God desires that all His sheep be gathered into one fold—His Church.
However, in this world, people are not immune to the temptations and snares of Satan, which have led to divisions within the Church. Yet these divisions do not destroy the beauty of the Church, the mystical Body of Christ.
God also revealed that in the event of Jesus’ resurrection, He chose and entrusted the Apostle Peter with the mission of being His representative in this world. This shows that:
God chooses individuals not based on status, position, or deep knowledge, but based on their love—those who love God above all things and love their brothers and sisters as themselves. This is what truly pleases God.
When God lovingly chooses and calls His apostles, He always accompanies them. This also shows that all those who have been called and chosen by God—whether in the past or in the future—to follow His path will always be protected and accompanied by Him, in all places and at all times.
Therefore, He invites each of us to peacefully follow the path of Jesus Christ—a path that leads to carrying the cross to Calvary, to die with Christ, and to rise again with Him.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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