Daily Catholic Lectio
Fri, 22 May 2026
Seventh Week of Easter
Saint Rita, Memoria
Ac 25:13-21. Jn 21:15-19
Follow Me
After saying this, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.”
These two words stand at the heart of today’s Gospel. They are simple words, but they carry the whole meaning of discipleship. Jesus does not merely forgive Peter. He calls him again. He does not only heal his memory. He gives him a mission. He does not leave him near the charcoal fire of his failure. He asks him to walk behind Him.
In the Gospels, we meet Peter close to Jesus in many decisive moments. Jesus calls him by the sea. Peter confesses, “You are the Christ.” He tries to walk on the water like Jesus. He denies Jesus three times. And today, after the resurrection, he professes his love three times.
Peter says, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” These words reveal surrender, honesty, and trust. Peter no longer hides behind strong promises. True discipleship begins here: not in self-confidence, but in humble surrender.
Jesus then says to Peter, “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.” To stretch out one’s hands does not mean losing life. It means giving life. It means allowing God to take our hands and lead us. Peter was first called to catch people. But before he can hold others for God, he must allow God to hold him.
The setting of this Gospel is very beautiful. After the resurrection, Jesus prepares breakfast for the disciples near a charcoal fire. Earlier, near another charcoal fire in the courtyard of the high priest, Peter had denied Jesus three times. The smell of that fire must have brought back the memory of his fall. But Jesus transforms that memory. The place of denial becomes the place of love. The fire of failure becomes the fire of mission.
Peter’s sin is washed by water and fire. When he hears, “It is the Lord,” he jumps into the water and comes to Jesus. Near the charcoal fire, he is warmed, restored, and sent. As we approach Pentecost, water and fire remind us of the Holy Spirit. The one who receives the Spirit is not only consoled; he is sent. The Spirit makes us followers of Jesus.
In the first reading, Paul also shows us what it means to follow Jesus. He is tired from journeys, trials, sickness, and imprisonment. Yet he remains alert to the mission. Jesus had told him that he must bear witness in Rome. How will he go to Rome? Paul uses the opportunity before him. As a Roman citizen, he appeals to Caesar. Even his imprisonment becomes a road for the Gospel.
Paul teaches us that every situation can become a place of witness. Freedom, prison, success, failure, strength, weakness — everything can serve the Gospel when the heart belongs to Christ. His intelligence, courage, and positive spirit amaze us. He does not merely suffer events. He transforms them into mission.
Today we also remember Saint Rita of Cascia. In married life, in suffering, in widowhood, and later in religious life, she followed Jesus. She did not follow Him only when life was easy. She followed Him through pain, patience, forgiveness, and hope. Her life tells us that discipleship is possible in every state of life.
Today there are many devotees of Jesus. But disciples are few. An devotee praises Jesus from a distance. A disciple follows Him on the road. A devotee loves beautiful words. A disciple carries the cross. An devotee appeals to Jesus to remove his or her sufferings. A disciple remains with Him in trial.
Peter, Paul, and Rita invite us today to accept the challenge of discipleship. Jesus still says to each of us, “Follow me.” Let us place our past before Him. Let us stretch out our hands to Him. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. And let us turn every moment of life into a witness to the Gospel.
“If anyone wants to become my follower, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
Fr Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
An initiative of “Yesni Prays”
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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