"Do You Love Me?" - An Invitation to Freedom
"I am going fishing" said St. Peter, and the other disciples who were there said "We also will come with you." At this point, Jesus had appeared to the Apostles before already. They were no longer hiding in the locked room. The appearances of Jesus had gradually warmed their hearts and strengthened their spirits. But, Peter returned to fishing instead of spreading the news that Jesus had risen from the dead. However, even here we can see what Jesus said to Peter in the very beginning coming to fulfillment: "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Mt. 4:19). The disciples said to Peter, "We are coming with you!" Peter was catching men, but perhaps he did not see the significance of this yet. And so they set out for the sea to catch some fish.
They caught nothing. They were unable to catch anything because they have been called to catch men and be for God, fishers of men. They were unable to catch anything because they were doing it apart from Jesus. Apart from God, man can do nothing, let alone doing anything well. When they had seen Jesus, and listened to His instructions, they caught numerous fish. The lesson they learned here was to depend on God and to heed the Words of Jesus. They caught 153 large fish, symbolizing the 153 species of fish that were known throughout the world and classified at the time - perhaps pointing to their call to preach the Good News universally to all nations and to be fishers of men.
After eating breakfast together, Jesus pulled Peter aside and asked him, "Do you love me more than these?" Peter said, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to Him, "Feed my lambs." A second time Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" Again, Peter answered affirmatively, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." "Tend my sheep." Then a third time Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." "Feed my sheep." Perhaps a well supported interpretation of the three-fold questioning Jesus proposed is that it was an opportunity for Peter to make up for the three times he had denied Christ. This three-fold confession of his love for Jesus made up for the three-fold denial of Peter.
With each question and answer, Jesus gave Peter a task. "Feed my lambs." "Tend my sheep." "Feed my sheep." I can only imagine the deep meaning of each of the three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. The first time could be the general "Do you love me" and do you love me above all things and all people? Peter said yes. But then Jesus asked him a second time. This second time may have been an invitation to a deeper reflection on what Jesus was asking of him and what his answer may really mean. "Do you love me?" Peter may have thought about the times when Jesus spoke to them about love and what it requires. Could Peter really live out a life of that kind of love? Peter said "yes." Finally, Jesus' third "Do you love me?" was the ultimate invitation to live a life of true freedom, a life that is focused on the will of the Father, an authentic life which included sacrifices, even the sacrifice of his own life. At this time, Peter may have thought of the times when he encountered Jesus profoundly. Being with Jesus on the mountain with Moses and Elijah when He was transfigured. When he confessed that Jesus was "The Christ, the Son of the Living God," and when Jesus told him that He would build His church on top of him and gave to Peter the keys to the kingdom and the authority and power to bound and loose things here on earth that would have eternal effects. When Peter thought about these moments, he must have felt so loved by the Lord. But then at the same time, the enemy must have been working hard reminding Peter of how much he must have hurt Jesus by betraying Him after all that talk about remaining with Him and dying for Him. Peter looked down in despair. Jesus looked intently at him with a smile. Jesus' smile had reminded Peter of Jesus' love for him when He washed his feet, and thought to himself how good it is that Jesus is with him now. Then looking intently into Jesus' eyes, Peter answered Jesus, "Yes, I do love you." This third answer sealed the deal. The past had been forgiven. Peter had been restored and reinstated. The Church then had a shepherd here on earth who was the representative of Jesus.
Jesus did not mention to Peter what he had done because He knew that they both know what happened and bringing up the past won't change anything. Why dwell on the past when it cannot help to move forward into the future? However, this does not mean that Jesus simply forgot about what happened. It is precisely because both Jesus and Peter knew what happened that made this encounter so powerful. It is in the recognition of the past and the repentance of our sins (the work of the heart and Spirit) that allows us to see the saving power of God's mercy and grace. The Father has the power to transform rejection, denial, guilt, shame and sin into love, mercy, and reconciliation.
Do we use this powerful encounter as the model of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation in our lives? If we are to be followers of Christ, then we must strive to love like him. In loving like Him, we must forgive and we must seek reconciliation. We forgive and we love. Out of that profound experience of forgiveness and reconciliation comes the new life and freedom that Christ promised.
Look at the picture below, I can almost hear Jesus saying to Peter, "It is time to let go of the fish. You must go out to the all the nations and catch men now." What are we holding on to that is preventing us from following Jesus wholeheartedly and unreservedly? Trust that the Father has a plan for you. A plan that far exceeds what you can ever imagine. Ask the Father to help you let go of those attachments and to help you grow in deeper trust in Him.
As Jesus and Peter finished their conversation and encounter, Jesus told Peter the life he would live and the way he would glorify Him in martyrdom. Then, Jesus said one final thing before this part of the conversation was over. It was not something new for he had heard it before. But it was said to be received with a newfound meaning. Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me."
Today, Jesus is extending an invitation to you, asking you, "Do you love me?" "And in loving me, do you love my people? If you love me then you must also love my people. Follow me."
Brothers and sisters, this is a tough question and daunting challenge. But as people of the Resurrection, we must rise to the occasion and say "Yes," fully confident that Jesus will give to us all the graces we will need to live out this "Yes." Let us today and everyday, with sincere humility and dependent trust say to the Lord, "Yes, Lord, I love you. Transform the lies I have come to believe about myself into the love and mercy and reconciliation that will set me free. Teach me to follow You."
Reflect on John 21:1-19.
They caught nothing. They were unable to catch anything because they have been called to catch men and be for God, fishers of men. They were unable to catch anything because they were doing it apart from Jesus. Apart from God, man can do nothing, let alone doing anything well. When they had seen Jesus, and listened to His instructions, they caught numerous fish. The lesson they learned here was to depend on God and to heed the Words of Jesus. They caught 153 large fish, symbolizing the 153 species of fish that were known throughout the world and classified at the time - perhaps pointing to their call to preach the Good News universally to all nations and to be fishers of men.
After eating breakfast together, Jesus pulled Peter aside and asked him, "Do you love me more than these?" Peter said, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to Him, "Feed my lambs." A second time Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" Again, Peter answered affirmatively, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." "Tend my sheep." Then a third time Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." "Feed my sheep." Perhaps a well supported interpretation of the three-fold questioning Jesus proposed is that it was an opportunity for Peter to make up for the three times he had denied Christ. This three-fold confession of his love for Jesus made up for the three-fold denial of Peter.
With each question and answer, Jesus gave Peter a task. "Feed my lambs." "Tend my sheep." "Feed my sheep." I can only imagine the deep meaning of each of the three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. The first time could be the general "Do you love me" and do you love me above all things and all people? Peter said yes. But then Jesus asked him a second time. This second time may have been an invitation to a deeper reflection on what Jesus was asking of him and what his answer may really mean. "Do you love me?" Peter may have thought about the times when Jesus spoke to them about love and what it requires. Could Peter really live out a life of that kind of love? Peter said "yes." Finally, Jesus' third "Do you love me?" was the ultimate invitation to live a life of true freedom, a life that is focused on the will of the Father, an authentic life which included sacrifices, even the sacrifice of his own life. At this time, Peter may have thought of the times when he encountered Jesus profoundly. Being with Jesus on the mountain with Moses and Elijah when He was transfigured. When he confessed that Jesus was "The Christ, the Son of the Living God," and when Jesus told him that He would build His church on top of him and gave to Peter the keys to the kingdom and the authority and power to bound and loose things here on earth that would have eternal effects. When Peter thought about these moments, he must have felt so loved by the Lord. But then at the same time, the enemy must have been working hard reminding Peter of how much he must have hurt Jesus by betraying Him after all that talk about remaining with Him and dying for Him. Peter looked down in despair. Jesus looked intently at him with a smile. Jesus' smile had reminded Peter of Jesus' love for him when He washed his feet, and thought to himself how good it is that Jesus is with him now. Then looking intently into Jesus' eyes, Peter answered Jesus, "Yes, I do love you." This third answer sealed the deal. The past had been forgiven. Peter had been restored and reinstated. The Church then had a shepherd here on earth who was the representative of Jesus.
Jesus did not mention to Peter what he had done because He knew that they both know what happened and bringing up the past won't change anything. Why dwell on the past when it cannot help to move forward into the future? However, this does not mean that Jesus simply forgot about what happened. It is precisely because both Jesus and Peter knew what happened that made this encounter so powerful. It is in the recognition of the past and the repentance of our sins (the work of the heart and Spirit) that allows us to see the saving power of God's mercy and grace. The Father has the power to transform rejection, denial, guilt, shame and sin into love, mercy, and reconciliation.
Do we use this powerful encounter as the model of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation in our lives? If we are to be followers of Christ, then we must strive to love like him. In loving like Him, we must forgive and we must seek reconciliation. We forgive and we love. Out of that profound experience of forgiveness and reconciliation comes the new life and freedom that Christ promised.
Look at the picture below, I can almost hear Jesus saying to Peter, "It is time to let go of the fish. You must go out to the all the nations and catch men now." What are we holding on to that is preventing us from following Jesus wholeheartedly and unreservedly? Trust that the Father has a plan for you. A plan that far exceeds what you can ever imagine. Ask the Father to help you let go of those attachments and to help you grow in deeper trust in Him.
As Jesus and Peter finished their conversation and encounter, Jesus told Peter the life he would live and the way he would glorify Him in martyrdom. Then, Jesus said one final thing before this part of the conversation was over. It was not something new for he had heard it before. But it was said to be received with a newfound meaning. Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me."
Today, Jesus is extending an invitation to you, asking you, "Do you love me?" "And in loving me, do you love my people? If you love me then you must also love my people. Follow me."
Brothers and sisters, this is a tough question and daunting challenge. But as people of the Resurrection, we must rise to the occasion and say "Yes," fully confident that Jesus will give to us all the graces we will need to live out this "Yes." Let us today and everyday, with sincere humility and dependent trust say to the Lord, "Yes, Lord, I love you. Transform the lies I have come to believe about myself into the love and mercy and reconciliation that will set me free. Teach me to follow You."
Reflect on John 21:1-19.
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| Source: from blog.deviantmonk.com |
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