Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection June 06, 2025

06th June 2025 (Friday)

Psalter: Week 3

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Acts 25:13b-21

In those days: Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.”

Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab R. (19a)

R/. The Lord has fixed his throne in heaven. Or: Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

R/. Alleluia

Gospel: John 21:15-19

When, [Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and] 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.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved 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. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Daily Gospel Reflection

Friday – 7th Week of Easter

Main Point: Love is the most needed ingredient in life. But sadly it is the most lacking as well. And where there is love also, often it is a misapprehended, twisted and abused love

1. In the gospel, Jesus is posing a question to Peter. This is not just one question among many. This is not any question. But this is the most fundamental question. If love is fundamental and foundational for everything, then this question is “the” question. It is “Do you love me?”

2. This question is repeated thrice. This indicates its singular importance. Number 3 biblically denotes perfection and completeness. Repeating it thrice indicates that it is something that cannot be bypassed; it is not a one-time business. But it must be recurrent. It is not a matter of redundancy but of significance and abundance.

3. It is also commonly thought that Jesus asks Peter thrice the same question in order to balance and compensate for his denial thrice. What we must see here is not a mathematical equation of 3 denials and 3 affirmations.

4. Rather it is a just preparation of Peter for the great mission of leadership. We may fall and fail, we too may deny and reject at times. But we must always strive to recuperate what has been missing, and to regain what has been lost.

5. Peter’s answer reveals humility and honesty. Each time he answers, “Lord, you know that I love you. Third time he adds a little more, “Lord, you know everything”. Peter is genuine and humble. And he is confident as well.

6. That is why he could attest, “Lord, you know that I love you”. He does not make a big lecture. He does not give instances and proofs. He sums up just in one clause, “Lord, you know”.

7. Further, this love is not only a matter of sentiment. It is a call for commitment to a mission. It is an altruistic mission in animation and service. It is to “tend the lambs”, “feed the flock” like real animators and leaders.

8. The command third time, “Follow me” can imply two aspects, one is, personal and relational, and the other is, missionary and pastoral. Personally our love for the Lord calls us to follow him, to imitate him as a faithful person in life. To follow him personally is to be profoundly related and clung to him. In the missionary sense, to follow him is to imitate him in the same mission of caring, serving and leading others.

My Practice: Today the same question of Jesus, “Do you love me?” is addressed to each one of us. How many can respond humbly and honestly like Peter, “Lord, you know that I love you”.