Reflection: Sunday 4th May and for the week ahead:

Scripture

15 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.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 16 A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ 17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt 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’. ….. After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ (John 21.15-17, 19)

Reflection

Surely Jesus already knows that Peter loves him? But this is of course a chance for Simon Peter to redeem himself again, to undo the threefold denial of Jesus just before the crucifixion. Jesus doesn’t ever ask idle questions – Peter’s answer changes everything. Jesus can now confidently appoint him shepherd for his ‘sheep’, the Christian believers, and we know that Simon Peter became an important leader in the Early Church.

I admire Simon Peter, as I admired Pope Francis, his successor. But that paternalistic attitude towards ‘the flock’? It doesn’t sit so well with me. I think everyone has to be grown up and take responsibility for their own ‘feeding’, their spiritual nourishment.

But a good shepherd, which is what the word ‘pastor’ means, is of course on hand, offering her, or his, flock the right pasture at the right time, encouraging them and gently guiding them. So, it’s up to the sheep if they eat, but the shepherd is lovingly concerned for their welfare, and for their safety.

And why? Because the shepherd loves the sheep. But more than that – because the flock belongs to our Lord, who is the source of all love. And his invitation is for sheep and shepherd alike: ‘Follow me’.

Revd Ylva