Do you love me?

The repeated question of the Lord to Peter, “Do you love me?” (vv 15-17), is an invitation to a well thoughtout, honest response and not just a superficial one. While not everyone finds it easy to say, “Yes, I love you,” saying it can also be just an “automatic” act.

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In a sense, the question asked thrice has the value of “Do you really, truly, love me?” And with this is implied the imperative, “Show it in action!” As many have already commented, this act of Jesus asking Peter the same question thrice corresponds to or parallels his three acts of denial earlier when Jesus was detained.

So, Peter’s answer this time is one of conviction, and with an openness to do what Jesus asks of him. And what Jesus asks of him is to take care and feed his sheep and lambs (vv 15-17). From our weakness we rise to maturity as we open ourselves to God and learn from our mistakes.

Peter is a good example for all of us struggling to love truly. Is our love for Jesus also true and genuine? Or is it vacillating, inconsistent, undependable? Let us beg for the grace of true and genuine love which is a “fruit” of the Holy Spirit.