After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” (Jn 21:15-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060322.cfm
"Breakfast by the Sea" sounds so romantic . . . until we get to the heart of the matter today. Peter was probably hoping that the Lord would just forget about his three denials. But the Lord chooses to go there and what follows is that Peter is restored to apostolic ministry . . . but it is a different ministry, one not based on privilege and power but rather a ministry based on Love. Saint Charles and his companions were martyred between 1885-1887 in Uganda. Today's picture shows Saint Charles baptizing one of his companions before their martyrdom.
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Saints Charles Lwanga & Companions, Martyrs, June 3
