SIMON SON OF JONAH DO YOU LOVE ME

FRIDAY WEEK 7 OF EASTER: NOT FEELING QUALIFIED

First Reading Acts 25:13-21

'I ordered Paul to be remanded until I could send him to Caesar'

King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus. Their visit lasted several days, and Festus put Paul’s case before the king. ‘There is a man here’ he said ‘whom Felix left behind in custody, and while I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and elders of the Jews laid information against him, demanding his condemnation. But I told them that Romans are not in the habit of surrendering any man, until the accused confronts his accusers and is given an opportunity to defend himself against the charge. 

So they came here with me, and I wasted no time but took my seat on the tribunal the very next day and had the man brought in. When confronted with him, his accusers did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected; but they had some argument or other with him about their own religion and about a dead man called Jesus whom Paul alleged to be alive. Not feeling qualified to deal with questions of this sort, I asked him if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried there on this issue. But Paul put in an appeal for his case to be reserved for the judgement of the august emperor, so I ordered him to be remanded until I could send him to Caesar.’

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord has set his sway in heaven Readings Lectures

Gospel John 21 :15-19 Feed my lambs, feed my sheep

Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. Reflections

‘I tell you most solemnly, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked;

but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you

and take you where you would rather not go.’

In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’

My God, my Father I thank you for this day. Father may your Holy Spirit be my wisdom and guide. True Father, your Words ane mystery, the world and creation are mysteries. Father the knowledge of you is beyond our imagination, you are Supreme. Father the knowledge of your Son Jesus Christ is a mystery. His Incarnation, His Birth, His Words, His Teachings, His Ressurrection, His Promise to Send the Holy Spirit. Father the TRINITY is a Mystery. None is qualified to explain your Supremacy. Father our Supreme Being we worship and adore you. 

Loving Heart of Jesus Christ make us love you. It takes the special grace of God the Father to love and obey your words. Sweet Jesus our Lord and Saviour may we love and acknowledge our love for you as Simon Peter. Make us sincere in our loving you. Lord Jesus Christ my Lord, I love you Lord my strength. Come Holy Spirit, come. 

Lord Jesus I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels and Saints pray for me, My Angel Guardian pray for me. Guide and guar me. Be my defender and protector.

Pray the Holy Rosary. Ave Maria. Hail Mary. Mother of Christ pray for us. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us.

Your Birthday Saint. Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs. May they pray for you as you celebrate your birthday today.