Bible Diary

Daily Reading

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

LECTIONARY
301

FIRST READING

Acts 25:13-21

Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.”

PSALM

103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab

Response: The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.

The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

Bless the LORD, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.

GOSPEL

Jn 21:15-19

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.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to 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 grieved 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. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God. And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Daily Reflection

The Israelites considered God as their leader; and we hear this expressed in the Psalm: The Lord is my Shepherd. They also considered their kings to be leaders as they were anointed by God’s prophets. However, the Old Testament bears witness to how Israel’s leaders often abused their authority. So, in time, God sent His Son, Jesus, as the True and Good Shepherd, to reassure the people that He hadn’t deserted them.

Today’s Gospel has Jesus absolving Peter of his shortcomings and, in a sense, reaffirming him as the leader and shepherd of the flock. Jesus reminds him that a true shepherd would need to endure many hardships. We see this also in the case of Paul, another shepherd, who had to endure several hardships in his proclamation of the Gospel.

At times, we are quick to criticize our leaders; but since condemnation offers no resolution, perhaps we should consider how we could constructively help them overcome their shortcomings.