From today's gospel: "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' He then said to Simon Peter a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Tend my sheep.' Jesus said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a 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.'
De La Salle (Med. 134.2): "The more tenderness you have for the members of Jesus Christ . . . who are entrusted to you, the more God will produce in them the wonderful effects of his grace."
It seems most appropriate to consider the words of Jesus in John's gospel and the writing of De La Salle about our relationships with students during Teacher Appreciation Week. Your hard work, creativity, ingenuity, willingness to try new ideas, and determination are not directed simply to passing on content, but to ensuring full human development in an environment in which you accompany each student entrusted to us. You show, then, that you follow Jesus' direction to Peter, in tending and feeding Christ's sheep. While it may not always feel like it, especially in early May and the inevitable student countdown of days until vacation, it is your good work in this regard that truly helps God's grace to grow within them. While seniors may be thinking about what you have done for them as they prepare to leave, our underclasspersons may not. Let me say, even on their behalf, thank you! It is your love of the Lord that allows our students to know God's love.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts!