On this Feria III after the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, the Church invites us to reflect deeply on the apostolic heart through the lens of two scriptural passages: 1 Thessalonians 2:2-8 and John 21:15-17. These readings offer a profound insight into the pastoral mission as exemplified by St. Paul and St. Peter, drawing us into the very heart of what it means to be a shepherd of souls, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 2:2-8: A Model of Apostolic Zeal and Tenderness
In his letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul reflects on the trials and sufferings he and his companions endured in proclaiming the Gospel. Despite the strong opposition, Paul emphasizes that they spoke “not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thess. 2:4). This statement is a powerful reminder that the apostolic mission is not about seeking human approval but about fidelity to God’s truth, regardless of the cost.
St. John Chrysostom, commenting on this passage, praises Paul’s boldness in preaching the Gospel amidst adversity. He notes that Paul’s courage did not stem from personal ambition but from a profound sense of responsibility towards the souls entrusted to him by Christ. Chrysostom writes, “He did not strive to please men, for he was not ambitious for human glory; but he was full of zeal for the salvation of men, because he had been entrusted with the Gospel” (Homilies on First Thessalonians, Homily 2).
Yet, alongside this boldness, Paul expresses a tender love for the Thessalonians, comparing himself to a “nursing mother taking care of her own children” (1 Thess. 2:7). This maternal imagery reveals the depth of Paul’s pastoral charity—a love that is gentle, nurturing, and self-sacrificing. St. Augustine, in his reflections on the pastoral mission, highlights this combination of strength and tenderness as essential for any shepherd of souls. He writes, “The love of Christ reaches out to others, not with harshness, but with the affection of a mother who not only gives birth to her children but also nourishes and nurtures them” (Sermon 340A).
John 21:15-17: The Restoration and Commissioning of Peter
In the Gospel of John, we encounter the risen Christ’s threefold questioning of Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). Each time Peter affirms his love, Jesus responds with a command: “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep.” This passage, rich in symbolism and meaning, marks Peter’s restoration after his threefold denial of Christ and underscores his role as the chief shepherd of the Church.
The Church Fathers see in this passage both a personal and ecclesial dimension. St. Gregory the Great, in his Homilies on the Gospel, interprets Jesus’ repeated question as a probing of Peter’s heart, a call to deeper conversion and commitment: “The threefold repetition of the question corresponds to the threefold denial, so that Peter might show triple love where he had denied with triple fear” (Homily 25). Gregory also emphasizes that Christ’s command to Peter is a mandate for all who would shepherd the Church, to lead with love and to care for the flock with diligence.
St. Augustine, in his Tractates on the Gospel of John, further elucidates the pastoral significance of this passage. He writes, “To feed the sheep of Christ is to care for the souls of believers, to guide them with sound doctrine, and to protect them from the wolves of heresy. The love of Christ is the motive and measure of all true pastoral ministry” (Tractate 123). For Augustine, Peter’s commission is a reminder that the authority to lead the Church is rooted in love—love for Christ and love for His flock.
The Apostolic Heart: A Call for Today
As we meditate on these scriptures within the liturgical context of Feria III after the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, we are invited to consider how the example of St. Paul and St. Peter challenges us today. The apostolic heart, as modeled by these two great saints, is one that combines courage and compassion, zeal and tenderness. It is a heart that is entirely devoted to Christ and His Church, seeking not its own glory, but the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
In a world that often measures success by power and prestige, the lives of St. Paul and St. Peter call us back to the true essence of Christian leadership: self-giving love rooted in truth. Their example reminds us that the pastoral mission is not merely a duty but a profound act of love—a love that is willing to endure suffering, rejection, and sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel.
May we, like Paul and Peter, be ever attentive to the voice of Christ calling us to “feed His sheep,” responding with hearts full of love and fidelity. As we journey through this liturgical season, let us ask for the grace to embody this apostolic heart in our own lives, ever mindful of the great responsibility entrusted to us as followers of Christ.
In the words of St. Gregory the Great, “Let us love what He loved, and with all our heart care for those whom He cares for, that when He comes as Judge, we may not be condemned with those who have been entrusted to our care, but may be united with them in eternal bliss” (Homily 25). Amen.