Leadership Expectations
May 4: Third Sunday of Easter
With the recent passing of the Holy Father, and all of the faithful praying that the college of cardinals follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, it seems appropriate that today’s readings examine the relationship between the first pope, Peter, and Jesus.
On another note, some friends of mine are trying to create an animated film about St. Joseph.
You should read about it here—
Or if you want to support their efforts, you should head straight to their Kickstarter.
Reading 1
Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, “We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name? Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us.”
But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
If this sounds familiar, we read most of this last Thursday (and a little on Friday). But it’s important enough that the Church wants us to hear it again.1 But the juxtaposition with today’s Gospel2 gives it a different meaning in context.
On Holy Thursday, Peter boasted that he would stick with Jesus no matter what. But Jesus prophesied (correctly, we soon find out), that Peter wouldn’t even make it through that night. Yet here he is, a little more than a month later, not facing a servant girl in the courtyard but the whole Sanhedrin.
It’s worth pointing out that Peter’s denial is described in all four Passion narratives. His abandonment of our Lord and Savior was well known and thoroughly documented. But everyone acknowledges him as the leader and representative of the Christian community.
Peter screwed up, like all people do, like all popes do. But as we’ll see in today’s Gospel, he repented. Jesus forgave him and then gave him even more responsibility.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Peter sinned terribly against Jesus, in a way that piled onto the many indignities and pains Christ suffered on that night. But Jesus’ still forgave him, and that forgiveness will last.
Reading 2
Rev 5:11-14
I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever."
The four living creatures answered, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
This is a song sung after the lamb (obviously representing Jesus) was slain and resurrected. Sometimes, it takes a big sign like that for us to realize what God has done for us. Even the apostles fled Jesus’ side on Good Friday, but they all turned around and praised him after Easter.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ is risen, creator of all;
he has shown pity on all people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ’s resurrection wasn’t for Himself; after all, He could’ve just not died if He wanted that. Instead, His death and resurrection was out of pity for us, and the sins that sever our connection to God.
Gospel
Jn 21:1-19
At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus 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.”
Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that Jesus 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.”
One aspect of a good leader isn’t that he necessarily has all the best ideas; it’s that he recognizes them when someone else proposes them.
Peter didn’t recognize Jesus on the seashore first; John (being Jesus’ best friend) did. But once John points it out, Peter understands and accepts. So, being the leader of the group, he dives into the water to lead the rest to Jesus’ side. He doesn’t need credit for coming up with the right course of action.
Notice Jesus’ leadership, too. Not only does he instruct these fisherman how to catch fish, he’s already got some fish on shore before they even arrive. He’s guiding by example.
The core of today’s passage is Jesus forgiving Peter for denying Him three times. He asks Peter if he loves Him three times, as well. Peter re-affirms, after his failure, his sincere desire to do the right thing for Jesus, which Jesus accepts.
None of the popes, from Peter on to whoever is chosen next, are perfect. But if they keep trying to reconcile themselves to Jesus’ love, they’ll be leading the Church by example.
At least, during Year C.
Also mostly a re-run from the the Friday of the Easter Octave.