Page:Jesus of Nazareth the story of His life simply told (1917).djvu/398

 on the Day of the Resurrection: "It is I Myself?" St. John, who was there, tells us that "none of them who were at meat durst ask Him: 'Who art Thou?'" knowing that it was the Lord. He goes on to tell us what happened after that early dinner.

When they had dined Jesus said to Simon Peter:

"Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me more than these?"

He said to Him: "Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee."

He said to him: "Feed My lambs."

He said to him again: "Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me?"

He said to Him: "Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee."

He said to him: "Feed My lambs."

He said to him the third time: "Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me?"

Peter was grieved because He had said to him the third time: "Lovest thou Me?" and he said to Him: "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee."

He said to him: "Feed My sheep."

Our Lord would give Peter the opportunity of making reparation by three professions of love for his three denials. And He asked him for a greater love than the rest, because of the greater trust that was to be committed to him—the charge of the whole flock.

The Church, as you will remember, consists of two classes, the Teaching and the taught. The taught are the simple faithful, whom our Lord calls the lambs; the sheep who look after the lambs are the bishops; they make up the Church teaching. Over all Peter is set as Shepherd. Teachers as well as taught, bishops and