Mark Jacks

In this Sunday’s Gospel (John 13:31–35), Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them. This is not ordinary love like philos (friendship), eros (romantic), or storge (familial bond), but agape — the self-giving love manifested on the cross. It is on the cross, surprisingly, that Jesus’ glory is revealed. We usually imagine glory with trumpets, light, maybe angel choirs; yet Christ shows divine glory through suffering and sacrifice. The cross, which during the 1^st century was a sign of humiliation and defeat, became the sign of ultimate victory, revealing God’s true nature: God is love.

This deep love must now be manifested in the Church. In Acts 14:21–27, Paul and Barnabas return to the communities they served, strengthening them and sharing what God had done through them.

Our readings for this Sunday evoke a rich image of God as the Good Shepherd. Early Christians embraced this compelling figure in contrast to the images of pagan gods – immortal “super humans” who were known more for their incredible power than their compassion for humanity. The incarnation enabled a different image of God who lovingly guides, protects, and sustains His people.

The Psalms call us to contemplation and to joyful worship, declaring that “we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” This reminds us that, like sheep, we need care, direction, and protection. Sheep are known for their tendency to wander and their need for guidance—just as we, too, often stray or become lost without the structure and wisdom of God’s Word. God’s rules are not burdens, but paths to life, keeping us safe and close to Him.

Today’s readings form a “before and after” picture of St. Peter. Peter’s transformation, as depicted in today’s readings, reveals the profound impact of his encounters with Jesus.

The image of “after” is evident in today’s first reading from Acts. Peter, once afraid to admit he knew Jesus, now boldly proclaims Him before the Sanhedrin, the very authorities who could have him killed. He declares, “We must obey God rather than men,” showing a fearless commitment to Christ. He and the other apostles rejoice for being considered worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name.

Whereas before, in John’s Passion narrative we see Peter at a low point—fearful and ashamed. When questioned by a servant girl, he denies knowing Jesus. He in fact ends up denying the Lord three times prior to the crucifixion. These denials highlight Peter’s weakness and fear of persecution, despite his earlier promises of loyalty.

What caused this dramatic change – how did Peter become St. Peter, “the rock?” In today’s Gospel reading (John 21:1-19), after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter is given the opportunity to redeem himself. The risen Jesus gently confronts him by asking three times, “Do you love me?”—mirroring Peter’s three denials.

Throughout history, no one doubted that Jesus was human. He walked, taught, ate, and suffered like any of us. But the real question is this: was He also divine? That’s the heart of the debate. Many who claim to be God are frauds or delusional. Some argue that Jesus was just a wise teacher, not God. Culture often echoes this idea, because if Jesus truly is God, then we must obey Him, we can’t simply pick and choose what we like.

So, why believe in His divinity? In a sense, the answer is simple: the Resurrection. Jesus was truly dead and buried for three days. Rising from the dead is something only God could do. Even the skeptical Thomas, upon seeing the risen Christ, exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”

While Jesus was compassionate, ultimately his miracles were meant to establish his identity as God. For example, when healed the paralytic, He first said, “Your sins are forgiven.” This prompted the scribes to ask, “Who but God can forgive sins?” They were correct, and Jesus confirmed his identity as God by then healing the man.

“Have you been saved?” This question invites us to reflect on the profound gift of baptism. For Catholics, salvation begins there, as St. Paul reminds us: “When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5-6). Jesus’ own baptism might seem puzzling.

Why would the sinless Son of God receive a baptism for repentance? The answer lies in “recapitulation”—Jesus taking on our broken humanity to restore and renew it. By entering the waters, He sanctified them, imparting the power to cleanse us and unite us to His death and resurrection. His baptism marked the start of His public ministry and His journey toward the Cross.

The story of King Herod and the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12 offers a profound reflection on God’s providence, the universality of Jesus’ mission, and our personal journey of faith. Herod the Great, a ruler with no Jewish heritage, symbolizes political power and cruelty. In response to the Magi’s search for the newborn King, he orders the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. The Magi, priestly figures from the East, follow a star to find Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts symbolize His kingship, divinity, and future death, inviting us to reflect on what we offer to Christ in our own lives.

The Gospel reveals three key lessons for us. First, God’s providence is at work in history, guiding people and events to fulfill His plan. While humans make choices, God arranges circumstances for His ultimate purpose.