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." He said to him, "Feed My Lambs." (John 21:15)People are always in need to be assured and affirmed that they are loved. This is a question of a parent to a child, a wife to a husband, a friend and vice versa. And Jesus asked the same question to His friend but with a different motive. He was asking Peter not to be assured, but to assure.
Strange because Jesus has a different way of doing things. He was asking the question, not because He needs the love of Peter, but the answer was pertinent, to His love for Peter. If Peter denied Him three times as the rooster crowed thrice, this time Jesus was asking three times as well.
Jesus could have dug the grave to ask him whatever happened to their friendship when Peter denied Him. But for a dear friend, He was able to pass over that conflict and move on to a more authentic friendship. This question has led to the reinstatement of Peter bringing about a renewal of their friendship and the validation of a renewed relationship - but on a different level of depth and maturity.
The love being talked about in this passage is no longer a love of sentiments and emotions - but a love translated into a genuine act of service towards kapwa tao (our neighbor). The love of Peter is no longer contained between the two of them, but is now shared and manifested to the entire humanity. Love surpasses all and brought to a broader horizon where the friendship bears fruit - a fruit that lasts. Peter's faithfulness to Jesus is now activated in the real sense of Love and Service to others as Jesus exhorted: FEED MY LAMBS.
The entire Lenten and Easter Seasons of the Liturgical Calendar highlight the intensive and insurmountable love of God for all of us that He did not die in vain - but He restored us to life everlasting. His love remains in you and me. As Peter started feeding the flock of Jesus, may our response be of love and that we may continuously love in His Most Sacred Heart each day of our lives.
In this way the tomb was empty but the hearts of the faithful will always be filled. His Love is written all over our faces as He rose from the dead.
Heaven is here in our midst as we share the best day of our lives: Knowing, Loving and Serving Him all the time.
FR. VIC APACIBLE
Parish Priest
NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART
Makati City, Philippines
Strange because Jesus has a different way of doing things. He was asking the question, not because He needs the love of Peter, but the answer was pertinent, to His love for Peter. If Peter denied Him three times as the rooster crowed thrice, this time Jesus was asking three times as well.
Jesus could have dug the grave to ask him whatever happened to their friendship when Peter denied Him. But for a dear friend, He was able to pass over that conflict and move on to a more authentic friendship. This question has led to the reinstatement of Peter bringing about a renewal of their friendship and the validation of a renewed relationship - but on a different level of depth and maturity.
The love being talked about in this passage is no longer a love of sentiments and emotions - but a love translated into a genuine act of service towards kapwa tao (our neighbor). The love of Peter is no longer contained between the two of them, but is now shared and manifested to the entire humanity. Love surpasses all and brought to a broader horizon where the friendship bears fruit - a fruit that lasts. Peter's faithfulness to Jesus is now activated in the real sense of Love and Service to others as Jesus exhorted: FEED MY LAMBS.
The entire Lenten and Easter Seasons of the Liturgical Calendar highlight the intensive and insurmountable love of God for all of us that He did not die in vain - but He restored us to life everlasting. His love remains in you and me. As Peter started feeding the flock of Jesus, may our response be of love and that we may continuously love in His Most Sacred Heart each day of our lives.
The love of Jesus can only be active and alive in us
as we nurture that relationship with Him,
as we learn to know Him every day,
as we grow in love with Him each day,
as we follow Him every single day.
as we nurture that relationship with Him,
as we learn to know Him every day,
as we grow in love with Him each day,
as we follow Him every single day.
In this way the tomb was empty but the hearts of the faithful will always be filled. His Love is written all over our faces as He rose from the dead.
Heaven is here in our midst as we share the best day of our lives: Knowing, Loving and Serving Him all the time.
Heaven is not empty: life is not a simple product of laws
and the randomness of matter.
But within everything and at the same time
Above everything, there is a personal will.
There is a spirit who in Jesus,
has revealed Himself as Love.
(POPE BENEDICT XVI, SPE SALVI, 5)
and the randomness of matter.
But within everything and at the same time
Above everything, there is a personal will.
There is a spirit who in Jesus,
has revealed Himself as Love.
(POPE BENEDICT XVI, SPE SALVI, 5)
FR. VIC APACIBLE
Parish Priest
NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART
Makati City, Philippines
