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Commentaries
English
John
  
17He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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."


Peter denied his Lord three times, so Jesus knocked on his heart’s door three times and thus tested the genuineness of his love. He stressed the need for divine love coming from the Holy Spirit, as Peter was to discover in himself: He did not receive it until the Holy Spirit descended on him at Pentecost. He kept inquiring, "Are you indeed bound to me more than to any human relationship, to the extent that you will offer your life for the world’s salvation?" The third time, Peter answered in sorrow and shame, and added that the Lord knew his heart.
Peter confessed that Jesus was right in predicting his threefold denial beforehand, and that Christ knew everything. So Peter called him the true God, who knows what is in man’s innermost being. That is the pastoral vocation, committed to Peter – caring for the sheep.
Are you a pastor watching over God’s flock? Do you see the wolves and evil spirits approaching? Remember, we are all sinners, not deserving to be honored with the shepherding of God’s people, except by virtue of the cross. Doubtless, shepherds need more forgiveness daily than the sheep; often they neglect their main responsibility.

Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Great Shepherd. You called me to be a shepherd, this I do not deserve. I am following you and falter. You have committed the sheep of your loving kindness to me. I commit them to you, beseeching you to tend them, granting them eternal life, keeping them in your hands; so that none might snatch them. Sanctify them and grant us patience, humility, trust, faith and hope to be established in your love. You will not forsake me, but love me to the uttermost.
Question
What has impressed you in the conversation between Jesus and Peter?