Friday 21 May 2021
St Christopher Magallanes & Cc
Day of penance
Acts 25:13-21. The Lord has set his throne in heaven – Psalm 102(103):1-2, 11-12, 19-20. John 21:15-19.
Our Father lives and breathes the justice of love
The readings today offer us three different manifestations of justice. Governor Festus’ juridical procedure is not unjust; Paul and his accusers have been heard, and Paul has obtained his due right to appeal to Caesar, that is, to have his case heard in Rome. Compare this fair but unremarkable legal approach with the bold strokes found in today’s psalm: ‘As far as the east is from the west, / so far He removes our transgressions from us!’ Only God can offer such overabundance of mercy; the Father, all-powerful, is far more forgiving than we humans, whose insecurity makes us mean, fearful and therefore potentially vindictive. In today’s Gospel, Jesus, on whose sacrifice our Father’s righteous justice depends, not only forgives Peter his denial of Him during His trial, but also restores him by granting him a great commission: ‘Feed my sheep!] Our Father lives and breathes the justice of love.
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