John 21:15-17

[Catholic Wife]

Anyone want to discuss how this verse might apply to apostolic succession?

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to 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."

I'll be gone for a few days, so feel free to discuss among yourselves and I'll give my ideas when I get back.

 

[QuantaCura]

This is the passage where the Lord Jesus made St. Peter chief pastor of His flock. After his thrice denial, he is redeemed by his thrice profession of faith and is raised to his new dignity. Who are Jesus' sheep? We are. Who tends us? St. Peter in the person of the Holy Father, the vicar of the Supreme Shepherd. St. John Chrysostom explains beautifully as always:

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/240188.htm

"He says unto him, Feed My sheep."

And why, having passed by the others, does He speak with Peter on these matters? He was the chosen one of the Apostles, the mouth of the disciples, the leader of the band; on this account also Paul went up upon a time to enquire of him rather than the others. And at the same time to show him that he must now be of good cheer, since the denial was done away, Jesus puts into his hands the chief authority among the brethren; and He brings not forward the denial, nor reproaches him with what had taken place, but says, "If you love Me, preside over your brethren, and the warm love which you ever manifested, and in which you rejoiced, show thou now; and the life which you said you would lay down for Me, now give for My sheep."

 

[plmarquette]

they are 3 different questions in the greek ...
Peter do you [agapo] love me as I love the father
... feed my lambs children, and new christians
Peter do you [agapo ]love me as the father loves me
.... feed my sheep .. believers, empower, disciple
Peter do you [starge / phileo] love me as a brother
.... tend my sheep - oversight , discipline

... do you love me more than these ... will you do what they disagree with , go where they will not go , do what I ask when every one else disagrees ..