Simon, Do You Love Me?

Friday 7^th June, 2019. Read Acts 25:13-21, Psalm 103 and John 21:15-19)_

_*“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’... ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ … ‘Feed my lambs.’ … ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ … ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ … ‘Tend my sheep.’ … ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ …’Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ …. ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:15-17)*_ 

Love cannot pretend. It cannot hide. Your life is very often defined by the object of your love whatever and whoever it may be. If you do not love your work or who you work for, you would soon think of quitting. If you are married and you love someone other than your spouse, that marriage is bound to suffer. Before handing over the flock to Peter, it is absolutely necessary for Jesus to question Peter’s love.

If Peter did not love Jesus more than everything else in life, his ministry to the Church would have suffered. When we love, we are able to bear whatever suffering or pain from that may result from that which we love. No matter how hot the kitchen may be, a woman who loves cooking will not step out. Jesus knowing how hot the task of leadership would be and the persecutions ahead needed to be sure that Peter truly loved him more than anything else.

For all those times, Peter would have to suffer something, the only thing that would keep him going is the memory of his triple “yes” to Jesus’ question. You know, when you love someone, there is this feeling of being used by that person. This happens when we find ourselves doing things or letting go of certain things for the sake of that person which ordinarily we would never do for anyone else.

Love is patient and kind; love takes no record of records; love never ends; love never gives up. Jesus even went as far as predicting the kind of death Peter would die; how he would stretch his hands while others will tie his belt and take him where he does not wish to go. Note that Jesus does not promise Peter any reward for what he would have to suffer. Jesus simply repeated the same words he said to Peter when he first called him: “Follow Me.”

Do I love God? Am I willing to let go of everything else for His sake even when I am to get nothing in return? Or is it the case that my love for God is just a _”cunny-cunny love”_? In truth, if you do not love God above everything else in this life or if your love is not big enough to withstand whatever sacrifice or pain, your Christian commitment would suffer greatly.

Going through our first reading, we find the story of Paul who was held in prison for the sake of the Gospel. His case is now pending for the Emperor himself. King Agrippa reports Paul to Festus, the Roman Governor, how he tried to settle the matter only for Paul’s accusers to start disputing among themselves meanwhile he couldn’t find him guilty of any evil. Even in his reportage, King Agrippa displays his lack of understanding and faith in Jesus Christ. Paul for his part did not seem too disturbed, as said to the Ephesians, “I have played my part, I am innocent of the blood of you all, (meaning: I am ready for anything now, even death).”

Like Paul, have you suffered anything for the sake of your Christian Faith? Is your love for Jesus big enough to accommodate flogging, imprisonment, loneliness, shipwreck, false accusation and so on?

Let us pray: Come Holy Spirit and Fill my heart, enkindle in me the fire of your love. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 7^th Week of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 25:13-21, Psalm 103 and John 21:15-19).