Mass Readings
Catholic Ireland
Liturgical Readings for : Friday, 17th May, 2024Léachtaí Gaeilge
Next Sunday's Readings
Friday, Seventh Week of Easter
Paul is now on his way to Rome. Jesus foretells Peter’s last days which will be in Rome.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
A dead man called Jesus whom Paul alleged to be alive
‘There is a man here’ he said ‘whom Felix left behind in custody, and while I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and elders of the Jews laid information against him, demanding his condemnation. But I told them that Romans are not in the habit of surrendering any man, until the accused confronts his accusers and is given an opportunity to defend himself against the charge. So they came here with me, and I wasted no time but took my seat on the tribunal the very next day and had the man brought in.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Response The Lord has set his sway in heaven.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 21:15-19 Glory to you, O Lord
Feed my lambs, feed my sheep
‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’
Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’
A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’
Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said,
‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
After this he said, ‘Follow me.’
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Reflections for Friday, Seventh Week of Easter, John 21:15-19
At the last supper, according to the gospel of John, Jesus announced to his disciples that he loved them as the Father loved him. Jesus went on to call on his disciples to remain in his love. Jesus would love them to the end; his love for them would be faithful. He asked in return that their love for him would be faithful. However, Peter did not remain in Jesus’ love; his love for Jesus did not turn out to be faithful, as he denied Jesus three times. That is the context for the risen Lord asking Peter the question three times, in today’s gospel reading, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
Jesus was giving Peter the opportunity to renew his love, to come home to the Lord’s love, and remain in his love once more. Only then could Peter be given the responsibility of the pastoral care of the Lord’s flock, the other disciples. Jesus made no mention of Peter’s denials. He simply invited him to renew his love. The Lord does not hold our failings against us. When we drift out of his love, when we deny him by our way of life, he always gives us the opportunity to renew our love for him. He personally asks us the same question he asked Peter, ‘Do you love me?’ and, in prayer, we can give the answer Peter gave, ‘Lord, you know I love you’. The Lord then asks us to express our love for him by taking care of others, by acting as a good shepherd to those who need our pastoral care. The Lord needs us all to share in some way in his work of pastoral care, but, firstly, he needs us to keep renewing our own personal love of him. It is our loving communion with the Lord that allows him to work through us.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings 2024: The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications 2022/ 24, c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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