INSPIRATION VS. MANIPULATION

“Take care of my sheep.” – John 21:16

My mentor Mike Wilson once told me, “There is a thin line between inspiration and manipulation.”

For example, when retailers have leftover merchandise from last season, it’s a matter of time before their stock will become fashion obsolete. To get rid of it fast, they come up with a sale, buy-one-take-one schemes, and discounts. It’s a win-win situation, but marketing consultant Simon Sinek describes a sale as a form of manipulation. It’s acceptable in business and its intention is to get others to do something.

But in nurturing and leading people, the Lord has a different standard. While a manipulative leader figures a way to get people to do something, Jesus touches people so that they follow Him. He walks His talk and others pursue Him. That’s inspiration.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” Then He calls him to take care of His sheep. Peter had recently denied Jesus thrice yet our Lord comes to Peter as if nothing happened and even entrusts him with a mission.

In big and small ways, we lead people under our charge. Jesus calls us, too, to take care of His sheep. His love empowers us to love Him and the people entrusted to us. To inspire! Ariel Driz (adriz77@yahoo.com)

Reflect: Do we love Jesus and see Him in others?

Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to love You and love as You have loved! Amen.

St. Willibald, bishop and missionary, pray for us.

Acts 25:13-21

13 King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea on a visit to Festus. 14 Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There is a man here left in custody by Felix. 15 When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation. 16 I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge. 17 So when they came together here, I made no delay; the next day I took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected. 19 Instead, they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. 20 Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. 21 And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”

PSALM

Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20

R: The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (R) 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. (R) 19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, all you his angels, you mighty in strength, who do his bidding. (R)

GOSPEL

Today, Jesus tests Peter’s commitment. Like Peter, we will face many tests over and over again. As Christ leads us and tests our commitment to Him, let us use these tests as opportunities to let the light of our faith shine before God and others. A test is a chance to witness to Christ’s role in our lives. It is an opportunity to evangelize all those who know us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I told you.

John 21:15-19

15 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.” 16 He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

think: What test has Jesus given you lately? Did you pass or fail His test?

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WHOSE FOOTPRINTS DO YOU FOLLOW? 

One fancy game that some of us may have played when we were young is trying to step on the footprints that a much bigger person in front of us makes. It is a fun thing to do, especially when that person has a wider gait and you have to jump so you can make it to the next footprint. I remember going to the beach in Cavite, with Tatay and Nanay, holding each other’s hands, walked ahead of us. The four of us siblings would rush to step on their footprints as if in a contest, where the one who first steps on them wins.

We situate today’s Gospel at the end of Jesus’ three-year public ministry. The prophecy about His suffering, death, and resurrection has already been realized. He is now preparing for His return to the Father. The Apostles have returned to their original trade. They are probably at a loss as to how to start life now that the Lord has left them. Then Jesus appears to them and invites Peter to follow Him. But this is quite misplaced. Peter has been faithfully following Jesus for the past three years, save for this time that he and the other Apostles have returned to fishing. So what is this invitation to “follow Me” all about?

Jesus probably wanted Peter to follow Him more devotedly. The past three years were difficult for Peter. He was presumptous. He believed too much on himself. Peter expressed firmness in his belief that he would never betray Jesus. But Peter did. Maybe Peter thought that he was already incorrigible in faith. But when temptation came, he faltered and fell. He failed to see that the true remedy against the evil’s enticement is the way of the cross—the way of love.

I believe that is how we should follow Jesus. Love should be a prerequisite. Without love, one will find it difficult to serve and follow Jesus. It was only after being assured of Peter’s love that Jesus invited him to really follow Him. So step on His footrpints. Go where He went. Do what He did. His steps brought Him to the cross. Take the same steps to reach the same cross, trusting that even if His footprints may lead to death and suffering, it will still end in the glory of the resurrection. Fr. Sandy Enhaynes

------- REFLECTION QUESTION -------

Whose footprints are you following in loving and serving Jesus?

Dearest Jesus, thank You for giving us the saints to be our model in following You. Amen.