"Lord, You know I love you!"

Third Sunday of Easter

 It-Tielet Ħadd ta’ l-Għid

Messalin C 201

Reading 1     -   Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41

When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, "We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name?  Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”  but Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,  rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.  This is the Word of The Lord.

L-Ewwel Lezzjoni  -   mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli  5, 27b-32, 40b-41

F'dak iż-żmien, il-qaddejja ressqu lill-appostli quddiem  is-Sinedriju.   U l-qassis il-kbir qalilhom:  "Aħna  għednielkom fuq li għednielkom biex ma tgħallmux   fuq dan l-isem.   U araw, issa mlejtu 'l Ġerusalemm bit-tagħlim tagħkom, u tridu titfgħu fuqna l-ħtija ta'  demm dan il-bniedem!" Iżda Pietru, flimkien mal-appostli, wieġeb u qal: "Jeħtieġ nobdu aktar lil Alla milli l-bnedmin.  Alla  ta' missirijietna qajjem lil Ġesu' li intom qtiltuh billi  dendiltuh ma' għuda.   Alla għollieħ bil-leminija tiegħu  u għamlu kap u salvatur, biex jagħti lil Iżrael l-indiema  u l-maħfra tad-dnubiet.   U ta' dan kollu hawn xhieda aħna flimkien mal-Ispirtu s-Santu li Alla ta lil dawk li jobduh." Lill-appostli wara li tawhom is-swat, ordnawlhom li ma jitkellmux fuq l-isem ta' Ġesu'; imbagħad telquhom.   Iżda huma ħarġu minn quddiem is-Sinedriju ferħana talli ġew meqjusa bħala nies li jistħoqqilhom li jkunu mmaqdra minħabba l-isem ta' Ġesu'. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm          PSALM 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13

R. Alleluia.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.                R/

Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.                                                                                    R/

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.                                               R/

 Salm Responsorjali        SALM 29 (30)

R/: Hallelujah,  Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Ngħollik, Mulej, għax erfajtni,

u ma ferraħtx l-għedewwa tiegħi bija.

Mulej, tellajtli mill-mewt 'il ruħi,

ħlistni minn fost dawk li jinżlu fil-ħofra.                R/

Għannu lill-Mulej, ħbieb tiegħu,

faħħru l-isem imqaddes tiegħu.

Għax ftit iddum is-saħna tiegħu,

iżda għomor sħiħ l-imħabba tiegħu.

Filgħaxija jidħol il-biki,

filgħodu jidwi l-għajjat ta' ferħ.                 R/

Ismagħni, Mulej, u ħenn għalija;

kun, Mulej, l-għajnuna tiegħi!

Int bdilt fi żfin l-għali tiegħi.

Mulej, Alla tiegħi, infaħħrek għal dejjem.            R/

Reading 2                 REVELATIONS 5:11-14

I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain  to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.” The four living creatures answered, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. This is the Word of The Lord.

l-Tieni Lezzjoni    mill-Ktieb tal-Apokalissi  5, 11-14

Jiena, Ġwanni, ħarist, u minn madwar it-tron u l-Ħlejjaq Ħajjin  u x-Xjuħ smajt il-leħen ta' ħafna anġli, li l-għadd tagħhom  kien għaxriet ta' eluf u eluf ta' elf, jgħidu b'leħen qawwi: "Jistħoqqlu l-Ħaruf li kien maqtul   li jirċievi l-qawwa u l-għana  u l-għerf u s-saħħa   u l-ġieħ u l-glorja u t-tifħir." U fis-sema, fuq l-art, taħt l-art, u fil-baħar u l-ħlejjaq kollha  li fihom, smajthom jgħidu:  "Lil dak li qiegħed fuq it-tron u  lill-Ħaruf, jingħata t-tifħir u l-ġieħ u  l-glorja u l-ħakma,  għal dejjem ta' dejjem." L-erba' Ħlejjaq Ħajjin bdew iwieġbu: "Ammen!"  filwaqt li x-xjuħ inxteħtu jagħtu qima. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel           -           JOHN 21:1-19

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples  at the Sea of Tiberias.  He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”  When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said   to him a 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. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”   This is the Word of The Lord.

Evanġelju  -  Qari skont San Ġwann 21, 1-19

F'dak iż-żmien, Ġesu' raġa deher lid-dixxipli ħdejn il-baħar ta' Tiberija. Dehrilhom hekk:  Xmun Pietru, Tumas, li jgħidulu t-Tewmi, Natanjel  minn Kana tal-Galilija, ulied Żebedew u tnejn oħra mid-dixxipli tiegħu  kienu flimien.  Xmun Pietru qalilhom: "Sejjer nistad."  Qalulu: "Ħa niġu  miegħek, aħna wkoll.."Marru, rikbu d-dgħajsa, u dak il-lejl ma qabdu xejn. Filgħodu mas-sebħ, Ġesu' kien qiegħed ix-xatt, imma d-dixxipli ma kinux  jafu li kien Ġesu'.   Ġesu' qalilhom:"Għandkom x'tieklu, ħbieb?"   "Le,"  weġbuh.  Qalilhom:"Waddbu x-xibka n-naħa tal-lemin tad-dgħajsa u ssibu."  Dawn waddbu x-xibka, u mbagħad ma felħux jiġbduha daqs kemm qabdu  ħut!   Id-dixxiplu li kien iħobb Ġesu' qal lil Pietru:  ""Il-Mulej dan!"    Għalhekk Xmun Pietru, kif sama' li kien il-Mulej, xehet fuqu l-libsa ta' fuq,  għax kien għoddu għeri, u ntafa' l-baħar.  Id-dixxipli l-oħra, billi ma kinux  imbiegħda wisq mill-art, imma xi mitejn driegħ biss, resqu bid-dgħajsa  jkaxkru warajhom ix-xibka bil-ħut. Kif niżlu l-art, raw li kien hemm xi faħam jaqbad, bil-ħut fuq, u xi ftit ħobż.    Qalilhom Ġesu':  "Newlu 'l hawn xi ħutiet minn dawk li għadkom kemm  qbadtu."  Xmun Pietru tala' fid-dgħajza u ġibed l-art ix-xbka mimlija b'mija u  tlieta u ħamsin ħuta kbira; u minkejja daqshekk ħut, ix-xibka ma nqasmitx.   Qalilhom Ġesu':  "Ejjew, kulu."   Imma ħadd mid-dixxipli ma ssogra jistaqsih:  "Int min int?", għax kienu jafu li kien il-Mulejj.   Ġesu' resaq, qabad il-ħobż u  newwilhulhom;   u hekk ukoll għamel bil-ħut.  Din kienet ġa t-tielet darba li  Ġesu' deher lid-dixxipli wara l-qawmien tiegħu mill-imwiet. Wara li kielu xi ħaġa, Ġesu' qal lil Xmun Pietru:  "Xmun bin  Ġwanni, tħobbni int aktar minn dawn?   Wieġbu:  "Iva, Mulej,  int taf li nħobbok."   Qallu:  Irgħa l-ħrief tiegħi."    Staqsieh  għat-tieni darba:  "Xmun bin-Ġwanni, tħobbni int?"    "Iva, Mulej, int taf li nħobbok."   Qallu:  "Irgħa n-nagħaġ tiegħi."   Għat- tielet darba staqsieh:  "Xmun bin Ġwanni, tħobbni/"    Pietru ħass għafsa ta' qalb għax staqsieh għat-tielet darba:  "Tħobbi?" u qallu: "Mulej, int taf kollox, int taf li nħobbok."   Qallu Ġesu':  "Irgħa  n-nagħaġ tiegħi.    Tassew, tassew ngħidlek, meta kont żagħżuħ, kont tiħażżem waħdek u tmur fejn trid; imma meta tixjieħ, int  tiftaħ idejk u ħaddieħor iħażżmek u jieħdok fejn ma tkunx trid." Dan qalu biex ifisser b'liema mewta kien sejjer jagħti ġlorja lil Alla.   imbagħad Ġesu' ssokta jgħidlu:   "Ejja warajja." Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

///////////////////////////   COMMENTARY:

Christ is the light of charity for the world

By  Archbishop Mgr Francesco Follo, permanent observer of the Holy See to UNESCO, Paris. 

At Easter, the first of all Sundays, we have celebrated the victory of the Word of Life that is Light. This light has conquered darkness. It is the beginning of a life that is not subject to the wear and tear of time because it is in the eternal youth of God. We have celebrated the victory of a Love that is stronger than death and stronger than the sin that has let death and its darkness enter the world.

Last Sunday, the second Sunday of Easter, we have been reminded of Jesus’ tenderness toward Thomas, his passionate disciple who was not there when Jesus appeared for the first time after the resurrection. The apostle, confronted with the concreteness of the Redeemer’s presence, recognized him and pronounced the most beautiful words of the Christian faith: “My Lord and my God.” Then Jesus looked at Thomas with eyes full of mercy.   With a look that gives peace and trust, instills courage and audacity and unleashes irresistible passion and strength He invited all the apostles to go to the limits of the earth to announce the Gospel, the best and most beautiful news that men, in any place and in any time, need.

In this third Sunday of Easter Jesus manifests his presence only to some of the apostles to confirm their vocation to be swept in by a love infinite, merciful and faithful, like the fish of the miraculous catch. It is not only an apparition to confirm them in the certainty of His Resurrection. It is also a recall of the mission to be fishermen of men.

With his apparitions Jesus shows a saintly and loyal Presence. As He did then, today Jesus invites us to be with him (Jn 21:4) on the lake’s shore.

With his Presence Jesus shows that the given Love conquers death for him and for his friends, Judas included. Let’s not forget that when Judas went to betray Him, Jesus called him “Friend.” How could we not think that this word had pierced the traitor’s heart? Maybe in the last minute of his life Judas remembering that word and the kiss, felt that the Master still loved him and would have welcomed him among the others in the new life.

At the Last Supper Jesus said to all the Apostles “I will no longer call you slaves, I call you friends” ( Jn 15:15). Jesus gives to us the same gift, He calls us “friends.”

Because we are his friends, Jesus speaks to us as a friend does. He asks us to love one another presenting his love as the source, the example and the measure of our reciprocal and brotherly love. ( Jn 15:12)

In conclusion we can say that the Resurrected invites his Apostles and us to be with Him. We must “be” with Him, grafted in Him as the shoots of the vine to be able to have eternal Life. “We must be with Jesus to be able to be with the others” (Benedict XVI to the Fraternity of Saint Charles Borromeo, February 13, 2011). In being with Him we share eternal and universal love.

Power that comes from love: Do you love me?… I love you…Feed my flock.

After the meal with the bread offered by Jesus and the fish of the miraculous catch, the dialogue between Jesus and Peter begins. Jesus reminds Peter of his betrayal. It was enough to have some words spoken by a gossipy servant to make him fall. This reminder is painful for Peter, but Jesus asks neither clarification nor justification. He asks him only if he loves Him because it is not important that his future pope is strong or consistent. He wants only to know if he loves Him and if he still wants to follow him. The one who will become the Bishop of Rome who presides over charity receives his assignment through a “test” on charity. To Peter who was offering his pain, Christ confirms his love.

Our journey toward sanctity is not made without betrayals but it is necessary that we renew everyday our friendship with Christ.

Jesus’ three questions are different because Jesus follows Peter’s answers. 

To the first question: Do you love me (from the Greek agapas me from agapao) more than these? Peter answers not using the right word. In fact while Jesus uses a verb seldom utilized, agapao, the verb of the absolute love, Peter uses a simple verb, the one indicating friendship and affection (from the Greek fileo ) and doesn’t make any comparison between him and the other apostles.

The second question is “Simon, son of John, do you love me (agapas me)?” Jesus has understood Peter’s difficulties and asks less. There is no comparison with the others, but the request for absolute love (agape) is still there. Peter answers again that he loves him, but in using again the verb fileo (the one more reassuring, more human: I’m your friend, you know, I love you) he demonstrates that he doesn’t understand well what Jesus is asking. Peter doesn’t dare to speak of love he prefers to speak of friendship and affection.

In the third question Jesus changes the verb and lowers his expectations on Peter. He comes closer to his unsure heart, accepts his limits and uses Peter’s verb “Peter fileis me?” He asks him affection if love is too much or at least friendship if love is too frightening. Jesus demonstrates his love in lowering three times the requirements of love and in slowing down his pace (as He does on the road to Emmaus) to match the one of the disciple.

Jesus accepts that Peter “loves” Him in the only way the disciple thinks he can do it. Since Jesus knows that Peter truly and completely loves Him, gives him the supremacy of love to take care of the Church. Jesus put on Peter’s shoulders the power that comes from charity (agape). Peter, who was able to recognize his misery and to receive Christ’s love, will be able to serve and to take care of his brothers in need of love and truth. Peter is ready, he will know how to help his poor brothers, because he has accepted his poverty and has asked for the love of the Master who invited him to be forever his follower.

What about us?

To Peter and to every one of us Jesus says the final word of today’s gospel: “Follow me”. Together with Peter, let’s follow Christ without forgetting a fundamental fact: Jesus Christ appears first to the women, his loyal followers, not to the disciples or to the apostles whom He had chosen to be the carriers of his Gospel into the world.

To the women He gives the mystery of the Resurrection making them the first witnesses of this truth. Perhaps He wants to reward their sensibility to his message and their strength which had pushed them up Calvary.

Perhaps He wants to show a fine side of his humanity, with grace and kindness He approaches and helps the ones who counted less in the world. We can read this in the gospel of Matthew 28:9-10 “And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” This will in fact happen as we can see in today’s Gospel. Even the apparition to Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:11-18) is of a remarkable finery from the side of the woman who reveals her passionate and reserved dedication to Jesus and from the side of the Master who treats her with kindness and goodness.

The Church will have to take inspiration from this priority given to the women at Easter. Over the centuries she had been able to count on them for their life of faith, prayer and apostolate.  I think that the consecrated Virgins are the example that a life offered to God in consecration makes sure that love is the completion that makes faith and charity alive and operative. (Gal 5:6) This is what Saint Augustine wrote “This means in the end to believe in Christ and to love Christ” (Hoc est enim credere in Christum, diligere Christum) (Enarr in Ps 130, 1; Pl 37, 1704). The consecrated Virgins show with their life that the love for God pushes us to transfer this love to all our brothers and sisters.

Practical advice: I invite you to repeat often this prayer by Saint Augustine: “Lord, guard our hearts united forever so that in following your path our affection becomes charity” (Custode Domine, animas nostras in perpetuo iunctas, ut te solum sequentes in via dilectio nostra caritas fieri posset)  ///////////////////////////////