REFLECTIONS TODAY
The second appearance to the Eleven and the confession of Thomas are clearly the conclusion to the Gospel of John. Thomas’ address of “My Lord and my God!” to the risen Jesus (Jn 20:28) forms a literary conclusion with the opening verse of the Gospel, “… and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1). Moreover, the Gospel already ends with a conclusion (Jn 20:30-31). The Epilogue, the appearance to the seven disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, was probably derived from another tradition which is close to the Synoptic Gospels. The importance given to Peter, his love for Jesus and the entrusting of the flock to him, align with the roles given to him in the Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Peter, humbled by his failures, entrusts himself to Jesus. His love for Jesus and his brethren will enable him to give the followers of Jesus a shepherd’s care.