Dear Friend 

Reflection by Carlos Vargas Hernandez

“Feed My Sheep”

John 21:15-19

On the northwestern shore of Galilee is located a church that is best known as “Mensa Santa” or “Primacy of St. Peter.” This shore area is the scene of two major events that took place here: Jesus having breakfast with the disciples, and Jesus having a conversation with Peter and giving him primacy over the other apostles.

Here, on the shore, Fr. Edward Rama of the Diocese of Paterson, NJ, celebrated Mass. I was conscious of the wind during Mass, and began to think of Peter who began to walk on water towards Jesus, but became distracted by the wind. The wind reminded me of Peter’s personality, weaknesses, struggles, and doubts but also his love. Even though Peter loved the Lord, he could not stop being a human person who was weak and dependent on God. Peter was scared; he may have cried as he was sinking, yet he said, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14; 30) Peter, in other words, had the courage to cry out to the Lord for help.

So, how could the Lord have called Peter who had doubts and fears, and who would deny him at the Sanhedrin? The apostles could have asked, “Why Peter, and not I, Lord?” Jesus, however, knew the intention of Peter’s heart. He knew the fears, doubts, and struggles of Peter, yet He asks, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” (John 21; 16) He knew that Peter loved him and would commit to the command of feeding His sheep. Clearly, our spiritual journey is not about having fears or doubts; rather, it is about loving the Lord because the one who loves is the one who acts for others instead for himself. Love moves us to “feed the sheep” without caring about who the sheep are or where they come from. Love makes us love in the manner of the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep.

We, like Peter, have our own struggles and fears, yet we are encouraged by Peter’s example to always ask the Good Shepherd for help, and this is the time to do so. Lent gives us the opportunity to seek God’s guidance and mercy, particularly in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so that by knowing and imitating the Good Shepherd, we may, too, feed His sheep and follow Him wherever He goes.

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Carlos Vargas Hernandez is a First Theology seminarian for the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.