Mother's Day: A Day of Pain
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Dearly Beloved in Christ,
In the 21st chapter of St. John's Gospel we see the reinstatement of St. Peter after he had denied Christ three times. In turn, we see Our Lord confirm Peter the same amount as his denial.
However, when reading in English, we often overlook the Greek and what is happening. What is happening in these verses are quite extraordinary.
First of all, let us quote the verses!
“When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs. He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs. He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep.” - St. John 21:15-17
You may not know why this is so extraordinary, but in these verses we will be primarily focusing on LOVE! This passage can also be used in defense of the papacy, but in this message the focus is on LOVE.
When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, Our Lord in accordance with the Greek of St. John’s Gospel was using the word “agapas.” Now this form of love is also known as agape love, a love that is perfect, a love that is infinite. The love of God. The Lord uses this form of love in asking Peter the question twice.
St. Peter responded in using the word “philo.” This form of love is referring to the love of friends. A friendship kind of love. Peter uses this in all three exchanges with Our Lord.
Jesus was basically asking Peter the first two times, “Peter, do you love me infinitely and perfectly.” In which Peter responded, “Yea Lord, you know I like you.” You see it wasn’t a perfect love.
There’s a point to all of this, don’t worry!
On the third time, Jesus uses the word “phileis” which is “philo” in a way. Jesus comes down to Peter’s level of knowing what and how to love. Jesus asked Peter if Peter loved him more than the rest. Peter responded with telling Christ that he loved Him as much as he humanly could. He loved Him more than the rest.
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Our Lord is calling us to imitate that same love that Peter had for Christ. To love Christ more than anyone else and above everything else. Christ wants all of us and we should give Him just that. He gave all for us. Even more, we should strive with all spiritual and human effort to imitate an agape love toward Our Savior. An infinite and perfect love. Although this seems hard to do in this life, this love will be made all the more perfect in Heaven when we shall know love without bounds.
Do we love Christ more than life itself? It’s a tricky question for many of us, but the important thing to do is to strive to the best of our ability to do so.
We should love Our Savior so much, that at the end of our lives, we can strive to utter the same last words as Pope Benedict XVI said, “Lord (Jesus), I love you!”
May we imitate this radical love that Christ calls and wants from us. May we strive on with the intercession of Saint Pope Peter to do so.
Jesus, I love you! Let me be yours and I will call you mine!
LORD JESUS, I LOVE YOU!
Born a Protestant, I converted to the Catholic faith at the age of 18 during my senior year of High School. I was baptized a United Methodist, became an American Baptist, and when I got my license I began to serch out other Churches and denominations. At 16 to 17, I was placed in the pulpit of a non-denomational church and preached a total of two sermons in the span of three months, before ultimately beginning the long and somewhat bumpy journey of converting to Catholicism. I was received into the Catholic Church on September 4th, 2021 and was confirmed on September 19th, 2021 by the Most Reverend Mark E. Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. For my patron saint, I was lucky enough to take the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who deeply inspired my conversion to the Catholic faith. I am currently discerning what God has in store for my life and what He will lead me to do. I am just beginning to publish articles that I have written. As St. Paul tells us, "Whatever you do...do it for the glory of God!" That is exactly what I intend to do. God Love You!
