In today’s Gospel from John 21, we hear about how the risen Lord Jesus appeared to his disciples a third time. During this appearance they shared a meal and Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep. St. Peter would become the first pope, and he would be like a shepherd to his flock, the church. This happened after Jesus asked St. Peter do you love me three times. This probably annoyed St. Peter, but he agreed to be the shepherd of the church. Peter could have denied Jesus again, but Jesus encouraged him to get up and follow him in ministry.
We can only imagine some of the issues that St. Peter had to deal with. We hear about them in the Acts of the Apostles. Basically, the members of his flock were mostly Jews, but over time the church included Greeks and other nationalities, thanks to the ministries of the other Apostles, including St. Paul.
Very recently we lost the 266th successor to St. Peter, Pope Francis and the cardinals will be starting their process to elect a new pope. We must pray for them and for our church daily and ask the Holy Spirit to assist them in their process, called the conclave. Who will be the 267th pope and the next successor to St. Peter? We will find out when the white smoke comes out of the chimney in St. Peter’s basilica.
Jesus always has the capacity to build something new, even the church that he established so long ago. Jesus will be a guide for the new pope, helping him to do what he asked of St. Peter, to feed his sheep.
We pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis and we pray that our new pope will prove worthy to lead the church for many years to come.
Blessings to all of you on this Third Sunday of Easter.
~Fr. Bob Pope