The Tuesday after Misericordias Domini Sunday
Posted on April 21, 2026 by under
Scripture: St. John 21:15-19 (NKJV)
21:15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
Devotion
Simon Peter had made great boasts about himself. In John 13:37, he told Jesus, “I will lay down my life for Your sake.” In Matthew 26:33, he placed himself above the other disciples, saying, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” After Jesus’ arrest, when his Master was being examined, Peter flat out denied his association with Jesus three times (John 18:17, 25-27) in order to save his own skin.
Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). After his denial, one look from Jesus brought him to contrition (Luke 22:61-62). The resurrected Jesus singled Peter out to receive the good news of his resurrection (Mark 16:7). With today’s conversation, Jesus’ words leave Peter with no doubt that he has been absolved and restored by Jesus Himself.
Aiming at Peter’s former pride, Jesus’ first question about Peter’s love includes the words, “more than these.” When Jesus asks about his love for a third time, Peter understands and again “grieves” with regret over his past sin. In his answer to Jesus, humble Peter no longer makes comparisons. He cites Jesus’ omniscience as more sure than even his own claim of heart-felt affection.
With the three-fold command to feed His sheep, Jesus is pronouncing absolution and reinstating Peter. Jesus entrusts to Peter his dearly beloved believers. Peter is to spiritually nourish them with the Word of God.
Collect: God, Who, by the humiliation of Thy Son, didst raise up the fallen world: Grant unto Thy faithful ones perpetual gladness, and those whom Thou hast delivered from the danger of everlasting death, do Thou make partakers of eternal joys; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
