Tenth station
The Risen Christ confers the supremacy upon Peter 

 

P  We adore, O Risen Christ, and we bless you.
A  Because by your resurrection you have given life to the world.

R From the Gospel according to John (Jn 21,15-17)
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." A second time he said to him, "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." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the 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."

G1 Risen Jesus meets Peter "heart to heart", with the sonorous and lapping lake in the background. After every great encounter there is a great assignment. Jesus asks Peter for the triple declaration of love: "Simon, do you love me more then these?" A few days before, Peter had denied three times that he knew him. So three times now he has to repair the betrayal of love with a renewed declaration of love. "Lord you know everything, you know that I love you." And after every attestation of the heart, Jesus confers upon Peter the power which is a service of the love: "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep." To love Jesus above all is not an idyll: it is a commitment, especially for those chosen by Jesus, because he has paid for them with his blood.

G2 The people of our time, particularly divided by billows and storms, have more then ever a need of a sure and stable reference point. We need the security of Christ who grazes his lambs and his sheep through Peter. Grazing is nourishing. Grazing is enlightening. Grazing is comforting. Grazing is freeing. Grazing is making to develop. Peter is an Easter gift. He is one of us, our brother, made a shepherd not for his humanity, fragile like the rest, but for the word of Jesus that sustains him. In the name of Jesus he carries out the role of a guide, for us, the flock of his pasture.

A  Rejoice, O Virgin Mother Mary:
    Christ is risen, Alleluia.

P We thank you O Risen Christ for Peter of today, our Pope. He lives out his apostolic service with so much generosity and warmth sacrificing this so beautiful as well as difficult time. Every day you also ask us: "Do you love me more than these?" To us, with Peter and under Peter entrust a part of your flock. And we entrust ourselves to you. Persuade us, Teacher and life giver, that only if we love will we tend your flock; and only with our sacrifice will we feed it on your truth and on your peace. 
A  Amen.

A  O Mary, temple  of the Holy Spirit
    guide us, the witnesses to the Risen Christ
    on the path of light.