Follow Me – Reflection on John 21:15-19
To love as St. Peter did is a challenge, especially knowing in scriptural hindsight that Peter suffers in the end. Imagine the energy Peter put into loving God and serving others with mind, body, and soul. When the rulers effectively treated him as an enemy, how could this have been worth it to him? A truth of Christianity is that as witnesses to God’s Glory, we, like Peter, can willingly desire to share in the Cross despite the significant challenges. We may have to accept unique sacrificial belts that call out to us to go beyond where we want to go in our journey. However, if we have tried and continue to persevere against all odds to do so, it is a solid indicator that we have committed to Jesus’s “Follow Me.”
Saint Peter by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Eastertide Reflections
John 21:15-19 – Scripture*
Jesus and Peter
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the 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. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 21:15-19 Reflection – Follow Me.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 21 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website adheres to the guidelines for image use established by the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Follow Me
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.