Do You Love Me?

A Reflection on the Gospel for May 5th, 2019:
​Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

John 21.1-19

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.

That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about ninety metres off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the 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. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.)

After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

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“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

Jesus’ question to Peter puts me on edge. I can imagine this scene; the seven disciples sitting around the fire having breakfast with Jesus who was dead and is now alive again, laughing joyfully, eating fish and breaking bread. Then Jesus asks Peter this question, “Do you love me more than these guys do?”

Awkward!!!

What is Peter going to say? He was the one who denied Jesus three times and ran away scared. Surely he’s not going to say he loves Him more than the rest?

At first glance this seems to be an impossible situation for Peter and maybe even a little unfair of Jesus to put him on the spot, but if we break open the rest of the passage we see that this is Jesus’ way of giving Peter the chance to be redeemed, not only in his own heart but in front of the men that he will be leading in the upcoming months. Three times Peter denied Jesus and three times he’s given the chance to be redeemed.

Peter’s answer seems to surface from feelings of guilt and shame he must have felt from his denial of Jesus. He is probably feeling like he is not worthy to love Jesus at all and certainly not with this perfect agape1 love that Jesus is asking of him. Jesus knows this and meets him where he is. It’s like He’s saying, “I know you love me, and I know you’re not perfect but I trust you to take care of my people. Your love may be incomplete but with my love all things are possible.”

"His love is always perfect agape love which redeems my broken love."

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How many times has Jesus given me the chance to be redeemed? Many more than three, that’s for sure. And do I always love Him the way I should? No, but His love is always perfect agape love which redeems my broken love. My feelings of unworthiness can get in the way of my receptiveness to Jesus’ love and grace. This is the lie that is often whispered in my ear, “You are not worthy”. This quote from Saint Faustina’s Diary reminds me of how Jesus loves me and encourages me to listen to His voice only!

“Once the Lord said to me, Act like a beggar who does not back away when he gets more alms {than he asked for}, but offers thanks more fervently. You too, should not back away and say that you are not worthy of receiving greater graces when I give them to you. I know you are unworthy, but rejoice all the more and take as many treasures from My heart as you can carry, for then you will please Me more. And I tell you one more thing—take these graces not only for yourself, but also for others; that is, encourage the souls with whom you come in contact to trust My infinite mercy.” 
(Diary 294)

In what ways do you back away and say “I am not worthy”? What are the lies whispered to you? What would it take for you to completely trust in Jesus’ infinite mercy?

Maxine Brown



1 The commentary from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on this scripture tells us that Jesus used two different words for love in this exchange. The first two times he questions Peter, the word Jesus uses for love is “agape”. Agape love is the highest form of love, self-sacrificing love, perfect love, love of God for man and man for God. Peter in response answers, “Yes Lord You know I love you” using the word “Philia”. Philia love is brotherly love. The third time Jesus asks Peter if he loves him He uses philia love and Peter responds the same.

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