After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast
with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more
than these? Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs. He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
Simon, son of John, do you love me? Simon Peter answered 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. Amen,
amen, I say to you, when you were younger you used to dress yourself and go
where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and
someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. He said
this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had
said this, he said to him, Follow me.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you love me? Jesus asked Simon Peter three times this question. How
deep is your love for the Lord? Would you be willing to handle the
responsibility that He will be giving you? Love is not love unless you’re
willing to sacrifice something, unless you’re willing to handle a
responsibility to prove that love.
Simon Peter failed in His test of love for Jesus when he denied Jesus
three times. He could have stood for Jesus but Peter was afraid to lose his
life, Peter was afraid to sacrifice his very life for Jesus. That’s why he
denied Jesus three times. At that moment when Simon Peter denied Jesus Peter
gave more importance to his own survival than his love for his Lord and Master.
However, even if Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus still profoundly
loved him. Jesus knew of the human frailties of Peter, Jesus knew that when the
going gets tough Peter would deny Him. Yet He still loved Peter, Peter's denial
of Jesus did not diminish Jesus love for him. This is the reason why at the end
of the gospel Jesus called Peter to follow Him.
We too should
remember that Jesus loves us very much notwithstanding our sinfulness. – Marino
J. Dasmarinas
No comments:
Post a Comment