ACC ~ John 21 v15

JESUS DOES NOT BRING UP THE DENIAL

CHRYSOSTOM: Why, having passed by the others, does he speak with Peter on these matters? He does so because he was the chosen one of the apostles, the mouthpiece of the disciples and the leader of the band. This is why Paul went up, at one time, to inquire of him rather than of the others. And at the same time he does this to show him that he must now be joyful since the denial was put behind him. And so, Jesus entrusts to him primacy over his brothers. He does not bring up the denial, nor does he reproach him for what had taken place. Rather, he says, If you love me, preside over your brothers, and now show them the warmth of love that you have always shown and in which you rejoiced. And the life that you said you would lay down for me, now give for my sheep. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 88.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:331**.

THREEFOLD CONFESSION OF PETER’S LOVE

AMBROSE: It is Peter, chosen by the Lord himself to feed his flock, who merits three times to hear the words “Feed my little lambs; feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” And so, by feeding well the flock of Christ with the food of faith, he effaced the sin of his former fall. For this reason he is admonished three times to feed the flock. He is asked three times whether he loves the Lord in order that he may confess him three times whom he had denied three times before his crucifixion. [1] ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 5, PROLOGUE 2. [2]

[1] Mt 26:69-75.

[2] NPNF 2 10:284**. See also Jerome Letter 42.2 (NPNF 2 6:57).

CHRIST’S QUESTION TO PETER

AUGUSTINE: Christ rose again in the flesh, and Peter rose in the spirit because, when Christ died in his passion, Peter died by his denial. Christ the Lord was raised from the dead, and out of his love he raised Peter. He questioned him about the love he was confessing and entrusted him with his sheep. After all, what benefit could Peter confer on Christ by the mere fact of his loving Christ? If Christ loves you, it is to your advantage, not Christ’s. And if you love Christ, it is to your advantage, not Christ’s. And yet Christ the Lord wanted to indicate how people ought to show that they love Christ. And he made it plain enough by entrusting him with his sheep. “Do you love me?” “I do.” “Feed my sheep.” All this once, all this a second time, all this a third time. Peter made no other reply than that he loved him. The Lord asked no other question but whether he loved him. When Peter answered, our Lord did nothing else but entrust his sheep to him. SERMON 229N.1. [1]

[1] WSA 3 6:320*.

LOVE FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR

CHRYSOSTOM: There are indeed many other things that are able to give us boldness toward God and to show us bright and approved, but that which most of all brings good will from on high is tender care for our neighbor—which is what Christ requires of Peter here. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 88.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:331*.

FEED THE LAMBS

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Jesus promoted Peter and placed him as the head of the lambs of his herd and said, “Feed my lambs,” that is, all those who believe in me and who, because they were instructed only recently, are weaker. And for this reason, it is necessary that you carry their burden, and protect them, and comfort them in their weakness and nourish them with the grace that was given to you. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 7.21.15. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:359-60.

SHEPHERDS IN THE LINE OF CHRIST AND PETER

APHRAHAT: O pastors! Imitate that diligent pastor, the chief of the whole flock, who cared so greatly for his flock. He brought near those who were far away. He brought back the wanderers. He visited the sick. He strengthened the weak. He bound up the broken. He guarded those who were well fed. He gave himself up for the sake of the sheep. He chose and instructed excellent leaders, and committed the sheep into their hands and gave them authority over all his flock. For he said to Simon Cephas, “Feed my sheep and my lambs and my ewes.” So Simon fed his sheep and fulfilled his calling and handed over the flock to you and departed. And so you also must feed and guide them well. For the pastor who cares for his sheep engages in no other pursuit along with that. He does not make a vineyard, or plant gardens, or fall into the troubles of this world. Never have we seen a pastor who left his sheep in the wilderness and became a merchant, or one who left his flock to wander and became a husbandman. But if he deserts his flock and does these things, he thereby hands over his flock to the wolves. DEMONSTRATION 10.4. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 13:384-85**.

FEED MY SHEEP, BUT REMEMBER THEY ARE MINE

AUGUSTINE: He is being armed for weightier and greater matters. He is told “Feed my sheep,” a task that was certainly going to mean danger for the flesh but glory for the spirit. Just think how much he was going to suffer for the name of Christ by feeding the sheep of Christ! “Feed my sheep, feed my lambs.” I mean, if you love me, what present are you going to give me? The prince of pastors made him a pastor so that Peter would feed Christ’s sheep, not his own. …

“Feed my sheep.” Why? Because you love me, because you are devoted to me, I am committing my sheep to you. Feed them, but remember they are mine. Heretical leaders, though, wish to make their own the sheep that are really Christ’s. All the same, they are forced … to set the stamp of Christ on them. They may make them their own private flock, but they still have to register them in the Lord’s name. SERMON 2290.3. [1]

[1] WSA 3 6:324-25. See also Bede Homily 2.22 (CS 111:224-25).

BEARING THE LORD’S BRAND

AUGUSTINE: Feed “my” sheep; he did not say “yours,” did he? Feed, good servant, the Lord’s sheep that bear the Lord’s brand. After all, was Paul crucified for you, or were you baptized in the name of Peter and Paul? [1] So feed his sheep, washed in his baptism, sealed in his name, redeemed with his blood. “Feed,” he says, “my sheep.” SERMON 295.5. [2]

REMEMBER THE MERCY YOU HAVE RECEIVED

ROMANUS MELODUS:

Peter, look to me as to how you educate; remembering your own fall, sympathize with all;

Mindful of the maiden who caused your fall, do not be harsh;

If conceit attacks you, hear the sound of the cock’s crow,

And remember the tears with whose streams I washed you,

I who alone know what is in your heart.

Peter, do you love me? Feed my flock, and love those whom I love, sympathizing with sinners.

Heed my mercy to you, since I received you who had thrice denied me.

You have a thief as gatekeeper of Paradise to give you courage. [3]

Send him those whom you wish. Because of you, Adam turned to me

Saying, “O Creator grant to me the robber as gatekeeper, and Cephas as keeper of keys.

Thou who alone dost know what is in the heart.”

KONTAKION ON THE MISSION OF THE APOSTLES 31.5-6. [4]

[1] 1 Cor 1:13.

[2] WSA 3 8:199.

[3] Lk 23:43; Acta Pilati, 26.

[4] KRBM 1:341.