|  | There are two places in Scripture where the curious detail of a “charcoal fire” is mentioned.
One is in today’s Gospel, where the Apostles return from fishing to find bread and fish warming on the fire. |
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| | The other is in the scene in the High Priest’s courtyard on Holy Thursday, where Peter and some guards and slaves warm themselves while Jesus is being interrogated inside |
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| | Today’s charcoal fire becomes the scene of Peter’s repentance, as three times Jesus asks him to make a profession of love. |
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| | “feed My sheep” shows that Peter is being appointed as the shepherd of the Lord’s entire flock, the head of His Church |
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| | “Do you love me more than these?” is a pointed reminder of Peter’s pledge to lay down his life for Jesus, even if the other Apostles might weaken |
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| | foretelling Peter’s death by crucifixion (“you will stretch out your hands”). |
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| | Jesus had warned the Apostles that they would be hated as He was hated, that they would suffer as He suffered |
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| | beginnings of that persecution in today’s First Reading. Flogged as Jesus was, the Apostles nonetheless leave “rejoicing that they have been found worthy to suffer. |
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| | joy is based on their faith that God will change their “mourning into dancing |
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| | By their sufferings, the know, they will be counted worthy to stand in heaven before “the Lamb that was slain. |
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