After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them,
he said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
He said to him, "Tend my sheep."
He said to him the third time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a 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.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go."
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."
REFLECTION
"do you love me more than these?"
Peter betrayed Jesus three times. When he heard it was Jesus, he jumped into the water to get to shore. This is his second encounter and first meal with the resurrected Jesus. The last time he broke bread with Jesus was at the Last Supper. At that time he boldly and proudly said that he would remain faithful to Him, even unto death.
Have we ever been afraid of meeting up with someone whom we know we wronged? Either we avoided them so as to not apologize, we never tried or there was not an opportune time. We are very aware of our sinfulness, humility, weakness, and the bitter sadness of our infidelity. Imagine the awkwardness of Peter when he sits there eating breakfast that Jesus fixed. No words spoken, no eye contact. Then Jesus asks the important questions....
In the book, The Apostles, (page 53) by Pope Benedict, in Greek, love or "fileo" means the love of friendship and the word "agapao" means love without reserve, total and unconditional. The initial question Jesus asks, "Simon,... do you love me (agapas-me)", with total and unconditional love. And Peter answers, "Lord, you know that I love you (filo-se), that is I love you with my poor and human love." However, now he is not able to claim that he loves him unto death. Jesus still seeks him out. His love for Peter has not changed. Peter's human love will grow with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Peter is welcomed among the apostles. He is made aware that Jesus' love for him has not wavered. He still remains the Rock of the Church. His love for Jesus will grow and he will witness for Jesus even unto death. His trust in Jesus will allow him eventually to do His work with agape love.
Jesus wants us to feed, and tend His sheep. No matter where we are in our relationship with Jesus, His love for us is unwavering and unconditional. Obey His commandments, ask Him to help you in your spiritual journey and we too can answer His call, "Follow me".
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