BE A RESPONSIBLE PERSON 1. “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” This is Jesus's question to Simon Peter in today's Gospel reading (John 21:1-19). You may ask, why did Jesus directly address Simon Peter? Why not James, Andrew, or John? Why this question even in the first place? What did Jesus expect to hear? What if Peter had said this to Jesus: "Lord, I don't love You." 2. Before Jesus' crucifixion, Peter had denied Jesus on three occasions. In this context, Peter failed this examination. With this question, Peter is given another chance by Jesus to resit this same examination in order to pass. This time, it's not about verbal assurance but an authentic assurance. It is an assurance that is real and meaningful. 3. Today (6-6-2025), Jesus is putting this same question before you: “Do you love Me?" I ask: As a Chorister, Lector, Mass Server, Usher, Catechist, etc, do you truly love Jesus? What makes you love Jesus? As a doctor, nurse, teacher, trader, etc, do you love Jesus? Why can't you love Jesus? As a mother, father, child(ren), etc, do you love Jesus? As a country (eg., Ghana), do we love Jesus? As a Priest, do I truly love Jesus? 4. Peter's response to Jesus's question is interesting. He tells Jesus: “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Today, what will be your response to this same question? Can you confidently tell Jesus that you love Him? 5. Jesus tells Peter: "Feed my lambs, tend my sheep and feed my sheep." A bit of Greek will help us to understand what is happening. •The Greek for feed is βόσκε (boske) which means "to take care of, to herd or to look after.” • The Greek for tend is ποίμαινε (poimaine) which means "to guide, to shepherd, to help, to herd or to take care of.” Clearly, Jesus tells Peter of his role as a leader. He is to nourish. Simon Peter is to guide. He is to strengthen. Simon is to secure. He is to take care. Peter is to look after. He is to be watchful. I ask: As a parent, how are you tending your child(ren)?As a doctor or nurse, how are you attending to the patient(s) in your care? As a teacher, how are you "feeding" your students? As a Priest, how am I taking care of God's flock? 6. Jesus talks about the death of Simon Peter. The Lord calls it the glory of God. Peter's death is on account of the Gospel. In the end, the Lord glorifies Peter. At the moment of your death, may God remember you! May God glorify you in heaven! Like Peter, may God grant you the grace to defend the faith at all times! 7. Finally, the Islamic world celebrates Eid ul-Adha today. Eid ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. The festival remembers the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to. It celebrates the time when Ibrahim had a dream, which he believed was a message from Allah asking him to sacrifice his son Isma'il as an act of obedience to God. The devil tempted Ibrahim by saying he should disobey Allah and spare his son. As Ibrahim was about to kill his son, Allah stopped him and gave him a lamb to sacrifice instead. Today, we pray for the gift of obedience to God. A happy celebration to our Muslim brothers and sisters. Barka Da Sallah! Come Holy Spirit....🌿