The Only Qualification is Love
Homily for May 17th, 2024, Friday of the 7th Week of Easter
John’s Gospel is unique in that it is the only Gospel that begins with Jesus’s divinity. It starts right out identifying Jesus as the Eternal Word of God.
And then it has passages like today’s reading — quiet, intimate moments that serve as a reminder that he became flesh and dwelt among us. That he had relationships with the people he encountered. That he had friends. That even after dying and rising again from the dead, he could still take time to sit over a charcoal fire and have breakfast with them.
Three times Jesus asks Simon Peter, “Do you love me?” Three times Peter answers in the affirmative. This is generally understood to be a way of redeeming Peter’s denials — where once he denied Jesus three times he can now profess his love three times.
And in response, Jesus three times instructs Peter to shepherd his sheep.
This, in John’s Gospel, is where Jesus appoints Peter as Chief Shepherd. John doesn’t say anything about “upon this Rock I shall build my Church.” Just three simple directives: Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep.
And the only qualification is love.
John doesn’t give Peter the inspired insight of recognizing Jesus as “the Christ, the Only Son of God” as the other Gospel writers do. He only professes his love, and that is enough.
It’s the world’s easiest job interview. “Do you love me?”
“Yes.”
“You’re hired.”
More than likely none of us will ever be in consideration for the job of Pope. But we can be sure that Jesus has something for each of us. And the only qualification is to love Him.