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“DO YOU LOVE ME?”
Gospel: John 21:15–17
If you want to know what religion is truly about, today’s Gospel gives us the answer. The word religion comes from the Latin word ‘relinquus’ meaning ‘link’. The link between God and us. Between Jesus and me. Religion is not a set of rules or rituals, it's a relationship. A relationship with the living Jesus, who looks us in the eye and asks: “Do you love Me?” This is what Peter experienced that morning by the sea. He wasn't asked to prove himself. He was invited to love.
Now that Jesus had risen the apostles were at a loss as what to do. Peter, restless and unsure, suggests fishing. The others follow. They cast their nets, and catch nothing. How frustrating that must have been! The sea is empty. Then, at dawn, a voice calls from the shore: “Friends, have you caught anything?” “No,” they reply. “Throw your net to the right side,” the stranger says.
They obey, and suddenly the net is bursting. John, always quick to see with the heart, whispers: “It is the Lord.” That’s all Peter needs to hear. Without hesitation, he throws on his tunic and leaps into the water. His love is clumsy, but real. He just wants to get to Jesus.
On the shore, Jesus has prepared a fire. Fish are cooking. Bread is warm. There are no words yet, just the crackle of flames and the scent of breakfast. And perhaps a lump in Peter’s throat. Why the lump? How could Peter ever forget he had three times denied Jesus his best friend? The most important reason why Jesus made this appearance was to allow Peter to make up for his three denials.
Jesus now speaks. He turns to Peter, not scolding him, nor accusing him, but with love and mercy, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” The question was not to embarrass Peter, but to give him the opportunity to make up for his three denials. Peter said gladly, “Yes Lord, You know that I love You.” Jesus doesn’t ask, “Why did you fail Me?” He asks, “Do you love “Me?”
The second time Jesus asks, “Do you love Me?” Peter was now beginning to realise that each time Jesus asked him this question He was peeling back a layer of shame, giving Peter the opportunity to express his sorrows for a denial, each one healing a wound. To the second question Peter replies, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.” And with every answer, Jesus gives a mission: “Feed my lambs.”
Now comes the third question, “Peter, do you love Me? This third question upset Peter, not because Jesus doubted him, but because it brought back to him, his weakness, his failure to express to a maid servant that He ever knew Jesus. And now with all the sorrow, fervour and love in his heart he emphatically said to Jesus, “Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You.” Peter just could not thank Jesus enough for putting him through this ordeal before the other apostles. If any of the other apostles may have questioned his leadership qualities not being enough they were now evaporated.
Jesus didn’t ask Peter to prove himself. He asked for his heart and he gave it to Him fully. He doesn’t erase Peter’s past. He transforms it.
And He does the same with us. He meets us in our weakness. He asks each one of us today, “Do you love me?” He doesn't take away the mission because we’ve failed. He gives it back, renewed.
We have all denied Him, in word, in silence, in fear.
But He still calls us again. Still feeds us. Still He trusts us to feed His sheep.
So when He asks, “Do you love me?” May we answer with trembling but sincere hearts: “Yes, Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
I am a Capuchin Franciscan priest who wants to spread the Gospel of the Lord.
