Peace and Love of the Risen Christ Jesus be with you,
dear Sisters, and Brothers in Christ!!!
Today, we reflect on a profound and heart-touching
moment in the Gospel of John, chapter 21, verses 15 to 19. This passage
presents us with an intimate and powerful encounter between Jesus and Peter,
one that speaks to us about forgiveness, restoration, and the deep love that
Jesus has for each of us.
To set the scene, this passage takes place after
Jesus' resurrection. The disciples are by the Sea of Galilee, having just
shared a miraculous catch of fish and breakfast with the risen Lord. Amidst
this ordinary yet extraordinary setting, Jesus turns to Peter and asks,
"Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"
Jesus' question pierces through the layers of Peter’s
heart. Recall that Peter had denied Jesus three times during the night of His
arrest. Peter, who had once declared his unwavering loyalty, found himself
broken by his own weaknesses and fear. In this moment, Jesus is not seeking
information but offering an invitation—a chance for Peter to confront his
failure and find redemption.
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Jesus asks. Peter responds, “Yes, Lord, you know
that I love you.” Jesus then says, “Feed my lambs.”
This exchange repeats two more times, each time
touching deeper into Peter's soul. With each question, Peter feels the weight of
his past denials, but also the profound opportunity for reconciliation. By the
third time, Peter is grieved and replies, “Lord, you know everything; you
know that I love you.” Jesus’ response remains consistent: “Feed my
sheep.”
In presenting this dialogue, John highlights the fact
that in the first two times, Jesus' uses the Greek word ἀγαπάω
(agapaō). Each time Peter responded using the expression φιλέω (phileō). Agape (ἀγαπάω) refers to a selfless, unconditional, and
sacrificial love. It's often described as a radical or divine kind of love.
While Philia (φιλέω)
represents a love of
friendship, affection, or close bond. It's a more emotional.
Jesus seeks a deeper commitment
from Peter, a love that reflects God's own love (agape). While Peter expresses
genuine affection (philia). Jesus finally accepted the love of friendship
Peter offers him.
Here, we witness the tender mercy of Christ. Jesus is
not merely forgiving Peter; He is restoring him. Each affirmation of love from
Peter corresponds to his previous denials, symbolically erasing his guilt and
commissioning him anew. Jesus entrusts Peter with the care of His followers,
emphasizing that love for Christ must be expressed through service and
shepherding of His people.
This passage calls us to reflect on our own lives: is our love for Jesus radical? Do you love him above all? How
often have we, like Peter, failed to live up to our commitments and convictions as Christians,
disciples of Jesus? How often have
we let fear, doubt, or sin create a chasm between us and our Savior
Jesus Christ? Yet, in this story,
we find hope. Jesus does not abandon us in our failures. Instead, He seeks us
out, inviting us to reaffirm our love for Him and recommitting us to His
mission.
Notice also the nature of the love Jesus asks of
Peter. It is a love that goes beyond words and feelings; it demands action : “Feed my lambs, tend my sheep.” Our love for Jesus must manifest in how we care for
one another, how we serve those in need, and how we nurture the faith of
others. It is a call to be shepherds in our own right, in whatever capacity we
can, within our families, our communities, and our world.
Finally, Jesus foreshadows Peter's future, hinting at
the sacrifices he will make. “When you were younger, you used to fasten your
own belt and 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.” Jesus’ prediction signifies the kind of death
by which Peter would glorify God. This reminder of sacrifice and commitment
speaks to us all, challenging us to consider the cost of discipleship and the
depth of our dedication to following Christ.
Peter's experience with Jesus reminds me of Dietrich
Bonhoeffer's famous book, The Cost of Discipleship,[1] which critiques
"cheap grace." Bonhoeffer describes cheap grace as self-bestowed
grace – preaching forgiveness without repentance, baptism without church
discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal
accountability.
Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, without the
cross, without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ. It's a grace that doesn't
transform us or demand a change in lifestyle. Some in our society readily
embrace talk of God's mercy but reject the idea that this divine mercy offers a
chance for salvation, a way out of sin (Romans 6:2).
Yes, it is important to take comfort in the boundless
mercy of our Lord, but this should not be done in total negligence of the
sacrifice of the Cross. If we truly love Jesus, we will keep his commandments
(John 14:15-24). Inspired by Peter's journey from denial to restoration, let us
understand that no failure is too great for God's forgiveness. And let us be
moved to action, expressing our love for Jesus through our care of
others, especially the most vulnerable, the poorest, the abandoned in our
society today.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ empower us to
love more deeply, serve more faithfully, and follow Him more closely, all the
days of our lives.
Amen.
[1] Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, The
Cost of Discipleship, Translated by R.H. Fuller, Rev. Ed. New York:
Macmillan, 1963. (Originally published as Nachfolge in 1937).
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Amen🙏🙏🙏
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