Jn 21:15-19
Follow me: Peter denies the Lord three times, and Jesus gives him a chance to redeem himself by asking him to profess his love the same number of times. After Peter reaffirms his love for the Lord, he is given a new commission—a pastoral one. When Jesus first calls him from his occupation of catching fish, Peter is told that he will be catching men (Lk 5:10, Mk 1:17). Here, he is told to feed the Lord’s lambs, tend his sheep, and feed his sheep (vv 15-17).
Follow me: Peter denies the Lord three times, and Jesus gives him a chance to redeem himself by asking him to profess his love the same number of times. After Peter reaffirms his love for the Lord, he is given a new commission—a pastoral one. When Jesus first calls him from his occupation of catching fish, Peter is told that he will be catching men (Lk 5:10, Mk 1:17). Here, he is told to feed the Lord’s lambs, tend his sheep, and feed his sheep (vv 15-17).
How seriously Peter takes this second commission may be seen from his letter to the new Christian communities. He urges them to “tend the flock of God” so faithfully that they may receive an unfading crown of glory at the manifestation of the chief Shepherd (1 Pt 5:1-4).
In words which echo the first call of the disciples (Jn 1:43), Jesus concludes Peter’s commission with a command: “Follow me” (v 19). And Peter does follow Jesus—as his disciple, unto death. Indeed, his protestation is fulfilled: “I will lay down my life for you” (Jn 13:37).