The very brief gospel reading of this Sunday is a sequel to and summary of the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Between the presentation of the parable and its summary John quotes various statements connected with the parable. The parable had pointed out that the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The expression, “lays down his life” is especially appropriate because a Palestinian shepherd brought the sheep into the fold or pen at night.

“To you, Lord, I lift up my soul, my God.” Let’s talk about prayer since most of us find one way or another to take action and more often than not, speak to God.

This Sunday’s Gospel includes most of John 21, which could be called the postscript to the rest of John’s Gospel. The primary purpose of the chapter is to justify the role of Simon Peter as head of the Christian Community and the continuation of that role after Peter’s death.