7TH WEEK OF EASTER

After Jesus had . . . eaten breakfast with them . . . 

The disciples had just finished a sunrise breakfast with Jesus. Now it was time for the risen Lord to take Peter aside for a private chat. The apostle must have wondered what the Lord would say to him. His memory of that awful day when he denied Jesus three times could not have been far from his mind. And the charcoal fire used to grill the fish was just another bitter reminder of it (John 18:17-18).

Yet Jesus was not interested in rehashing Peter’s failures. He had another purpose in mind: he wanted to cleanse Peter’s guilty conscience. So after asking him three times “Do you love me?”—once for every time Peter denied him—the Lord invited him to feed his sheep (John 21:15, 16, 17). Jesus not only forgave Peter; he also affirmed his calling as an apostle and leader of the Church. What a blessing that early morning meeting must have been for Peter!

Sometimes we approach God with lingering regrets about our own shortcomings or past failings. These memories and guilty feelings can keep us distant from the Lord and prevent us from fully trusting in his mercy and his promises. Even after receiving absolution in Confession, we might still feel disheartened when we recall our past. Or we might be tempted to think that we can never really be worthy of following Jesus or of helping others to know him.

Jesus moved Peter from clinging to sins of the past to receiving mercy in the present, and he wants to do the same for us. His mercy knows no bounds. Not only that, but he longs to pour it out on us! In fact, once we’ve repented and received his forgiveness, the only reason to remember our shameful moments is so that we can recall his compassion and mercy.

Christ died and rose so that you might be forgiven—completely! Let him take you aside—perhaps early each morning—and assure you of his unconditional love and mercy for you. The more deeply you experience this mercy, the more equipped you will be to answer the Lord’s call to “feed my sheep.”

“Jesus, may I trust in your mercy all the days of my life!”

Acts 25:13-21
Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20
John 21:15-19