Saving love

When 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.” (John 21: 15-19)

Unlike Judas, Peter did not remain in a state of remorse and despair, believing that Jesus could no longer save him. Judas did not accept Christ's forgiveness. With infinite delicacy and in front of his fellow disciples, Jesus not only forgave Peter, but confirmed His trust in him by assigning him the leadership of tending to all believers – the sheep and lambs. Let us remember to pray for the Pope, the successor of Saint Peter, so that the Lord may always enlighten him.