Introduction

Many today refuse to accept the shepherd image which God attributes to himself (for example, Ez 24), which Christ claims for himself and which he gave to the apostles. Are the faithful no more than docile sheep? Are the pope, bishops and priests who "dominate in the name of truth, repress in the name of morality, and keep 'the flock' infantile in the name of God's goodness" (Bernard Feuillet, Journal de la Vie 78, p. 25)? Not if they understand their mission of service and self-giving. Not if they are shepherds in Christ's way. Not if they are agents and centers of unity for their people.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
you have appointed shepherds in your Church
to speak your word to us
and to build community in your name.
We pray you today:
May they be shepherds like your Son
who look for those who have lost the way,
bring back the stray, bandage the wounded
and make the weak strong.
May they all be ministers
of your tender love and service,
as Jesus was, your Son and our Lord.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: Acts 25:13-21

Some days later King Agrippa and his sister Bernice arrived in Caesarea to greet Festus. As they were to stay there several days, Festus told the king about Paul's case and said to him,

"We have here a man whom Felix left as a prisoner. When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews accused him and asked me to sentence him. I told them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over a man without giving him an opportunity to defend himself in front of his accusers. So they came and I took my seat without delay on the tribunal and sent for the man.

When the accusers had the floor, they did not accuse him of any of the crimes that I was led to think he had committed; instead they quarreled with him about religion and about a certain Jesus who has died but whom Paul asserted to be alive. I did not know what to do about this case, so I asked Paul if he wanted to go to Jerusalem to be tried there. But Paul appealed to be judged by the emperor. So I ordered that he be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar."

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab

R (19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R Alleluia.
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R Alleluia.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R Alleluia.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.
R The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R Alleluia.

Gospel Reading: Jn 21:15-19

After Jesus and his disciples had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." And Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

A second time Jesus said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" And Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Look after my sheep." And a third time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was saddened because Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."

Jesus then said, "Feed my sheep. Truly, I say to you, when you were young you put on your belt and walked where you liked. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will put a belt around you and lead you where you do not wish to go."

Jesus said this to make known the kind of death by which Peter was to glorify God. And he added, "Follow me."