A Reading from the Gospel of John [1:15-17]
“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.’
He then said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to 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.’”
Homily
Jesus provides Peter an opportunity to seek Forgiveness and unburden his soul. The threefold “Do you love me ….” asked by Jesus of St. Peter is not bringing up Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus. Jesus meets Peter where he is to share His love for Peter and the exchange goes like this.
Jesus asks Simon Peter, “Do you Agape Me, love Me unconditionally and totally?” Simon Peter responds “Yes, Lord I Philia You, love You like a brother.” Jesus asks again Simon “Do you Agape Me? Peter responds “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”
A third time Jesus asks Simon “Do you Philia Me? Peter [distressed] responds, “Lord You know everything, You know that I Philia You.” Tonight, in Confession the Lord will meet each one of us where we are and give us His mercy wrapped in Grace we need and the Forgiveness we seek.
May God Be Praised.
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