Jesus is Ruler and Savior. He wants the rulers among his own to be lowly, to love and feed others, just as he has been and done to them. 

The other disciple ran faster than Peter and got to the tomb first. But it was the latter who went in first. There was thus a hint that he was the first among rulers in Jesus’ group.

And now, right after the surprise of a huge catch of fish, the beloved disciple is quicker than Peter to recognize Jesus. But again, Peter is the one to jump into the water right away to get to the shore. 

He, then, hears the Lord ask for fish. And Peter goes back into the boat and hauls up to shore, all alone, the net, full of fish. He shows, yes, that he is the ruler of rulers.

He has, of course, shown off before and has said to Jesus, “I will lay down my life for you” (see also Mt 26, 33; Mk 14, 29; Lk 22, 33). But he ends up denying Jesus three times.

Jesus wants Peter to be the truest of rulers. 

So, now comes the time for Jesus to bring him back. He still wants him to lead the Church. But he questions him.

And his questions get at the root of all sin, pride. Peter, for his part, seems to admit he can no longer boast. For he just says that he loves Jesus as a friend. He does not dare say he loves as Jesus has loved to the end.

But Jesus questions also Peter’s love as a friend, which troubles the disciple. Yet just the same, Jesus trusts his answers. And so, the Lord gives him the task to feed his lambs, and to tend and feed his sheep. He knows that, by God’s grace, Peter will get to love as he loved him and the other disciples.

It is true, then:  as pride is the cause of all sins, so also lowliness is the spring of all good (SV.EN IX:530. 534). The truly lowly, who know they can do nothing apart from Jesus, get to love and feed as Jesus. That is to say, to the giving up of the body and the shedding of blood that leads to true life.

Lord Jesus, blessing and honor, glory and might, to you forever and ever!  And grant that we be lowly, so that we may recognize you as the true Ruler of rulers and our Savior. Lowly, we shall see you also in those who are poor, our lords and masters, and reach out to them.

4 May 2025
Third Sunday of Easter (C)
Acts 5, 27-32. 40b-41; Rev 5, 11-14; Jn 21, 1-19