Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 / Apocalypse 5:11-14 / John 21:1-19
The elections of our country are over, and we must thank God that elections in our country are peaceful.
Yes, there are fiery rallies and there are enthusiastic support for the candidates.
But the real work begins, now that results are announced.
The promises made at the rallies will have to be fulfilled.
As for us, the Catholic citizens of Singapore, our work is to pray for our country, and the elected leaders and ministers.
It is our duty to pray for peace and for the stability of our country, and that we live up to what we pledge as citizens of Singapore.
But coming up, there is also an equally important and urgent call for prayer.
This Wednesday, the 7th of May, 133 Cardinals, our Archbishop, Cardinal William Goh, is one of them, will enter the conclave to pray and to elect the next Pope.
Conclave means “with keys”, and so it means that the conclave is a room that is lockable.
So, the Cardinals will enter that big room, which is the Sistine Chapel, and then it will be locked.
And locked away from the world, the Cardinals pray and cast their votes for the next Pope.
And we, the Church, will also pray that guided by the Holy Spirit, the Cardinals will elect a Pope according to the will of God.
And we will also pray that the next Pope will lead the Church with the Heart of Jesus.
And what is the Heart of Jesus like?
It is the Heart of love and mercy, a Heart that cares for the lowly and the neglected, a Heart that heals the wounded and the hurting.
And we see that Heart of Jesus in today's Gospel.
The disciples caught nothing after working all night, and then Jesus came along to tell them where to catch the fish.
And it is not just catching some fish, but a lot of fish, and that showed the abundance of God's blessings.
And when they came ashore, the disciples saw that Jesus had prepared breakfast for them.
And it was after the meal and when their hearts are calmed down, that Jesus asked Peter those three questions.
Those three questions were not that difficult because it is all about love.
At this point in time when we stand between the outcome of one election and the outcome of another election, let us come to the core of our faith.
And the core of our faith is Peter's response to the questions of Jesus: Yes, Lord, You know I love You.
We love the Lord, and so we pray for our country and our country's leaders, that God will bless us with peace, stability and progress.
Like the disciples, may we have fish to catch, bread to eat, and love to care and share.
We love the Lord, and so we pray for the Church and for the next Pope.
May God bless the next Pope to lead the Church with the Heart of Jesus the Good Shepherd.
May we always respond with a firm “Yes” to God's love and may we have the courage to go where Jesus is leading us to.
So, whoever leads our country, and whoever leads the Church, let us always have recourse to prayer, and to remember this:
The will of God will not take us to where the grace of God will not protect us.