Jun 6 – Memorial for St. Norbert, bishop, religious founder
St. Norbert (1080-1134) had been born to the nobility and raised around the royal court. There he developed a very worldly view, taking holy orders as a career move when he joined the Benedictines. A narrow escape from death led him to a conversion experience, and taking his vows seriously.
He founded a community of Augustinian canons, starting a reform movement that swept through European monastic houses. St. Norbert also reformed the clergy in his see, using force when necessary. He worked with St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. Hugh of Grenoble to heal the schism caused by the death of Pope Honorius II, and for heresy in Cambrai, France with the help of St. Waltmann. He is one of the patron saints of peace.
- Patron Saint Index
Acts 25:13-21
Jn 21:15-19
After this he said to him “follow me”
On May 8, white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Cardinal Robert Prevost made history by being the first American to be elected as Pope. He took the name Leo XIV and became the 267th Pope.
Of course, Protestants and other Eastern Orthodoxy do not accept the papal office and its supreme authority on matters of faith and doctrine. They cite this as a prime example of Catholic heresy. So where is the biblical basis for Catholics to claim otherwise? The proof is right here in today’s gospel reading.
On the shores of Lake Tiberius, Jesus revealed himself to the apostles (after his resurrection) and ate breakfast with them. Subsequently, he asked Simon, son of John, three times “Do you love me more than these”. Why did Jesus include the words “more than these”?
To know the answer, we must first look at what Jesus said to Simon after he replied, “Yes lord, you know that I love you”.
1. The first time Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
2. The second time, Jesus remarked, “Tend my sheep.”
3. The third time, Jesus told Peter to “feed my sheep.”
Why did Jesus use lamb and then sheep? I always thought they were the same and maybe the two English words were used to add variation to the phrase, but with the same meaning. Fortunately, I came across Dr Brian Pitre, a renowned bible scholar and his illuminating explanation. When Jesus said the second time “tend my sheep” the original Greek word for ‘tend’ is the word ‘poimaino’. This is a verb which means ‘to shepherd’.
The Bible clearly states that Jesus is the only true shepherd of God (John 10 & John 16). All others who came before him were false. For Jesus to now tell Peter to “poimaino my sheep” is very clear — Peter was to take over this role of the one true shepherd. He was Jesus’ successor with authority and primacy over all others.
So when Jesus used the words, “do you love me more than these”, he was preparing Peter for the leadership role by asking him to love Jesus more than all the disciples. This love (‘agape’ or ‘brotherly love’) is needed to fulfil the role of the Good Shepherd, where Peter was to look after the apostles (feed my lambs) and the whole Christian faith ( to shepherd and feed the sheep).
There you have it. Today’s gospel reading establishes St Peter as the first pope. This papal office has continued with the successors of St Peter all through two millenia. Now, we have Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope leading the Catholic faith. Praise be to God!
(Today’s OXYGEN by Andrew Sia)
Prayer: Heavenly father, we pray that you guide Pope Leo XIV with wisdom, compassion and strength as he leads your church.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord for all the blessings you have bestowed on the Catholic church.
OXYGEN 
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