Feed His Sheep

By Karen Pourbabaee

“Jesus said to him, feed My sheep.” John 21:17

When Jesus questioned Peter about his love not once, but three times, Peter repeatedly answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love You.” (John 21:15-17) Peter’s threefold confession was meant to counteract his earlier threefold denial of Christ. But Jesus was not satisfied with Peter’s heartfelt confession. He wanted much more from Simon Peter, son of John! Jesus then gave three commands: Feed My lambs. Shepherd My sheep. Feed My sheep. He wanted to get the point across.

Likewise, Jesus expects more from each of us than our undying love and devotion to Him. He desires for us to be His eyes, His ears, His hands, and His feet on the earth. When we enlist in His kingdom, we are sent on a mission as His ambassadors. It’s meant to be a mission of love. St. Augustine extrapolates on this mission: 

“What does love look like? It has hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”

It is not enough to love Him, for we are called to walk the way of love in the world as His mystical body. If we indeed love Him, like Peter, we too are called to feed His sheep.

Today’s writer sees her life mission in Proverbs 13:17 "A faithful envoy brings healing." She spent her adult life in the nursing field and today continues in the healing field through her writing. Contact