“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

john 21:17

John 21:15-19

Reflection

Following the third appearance of Jesus following his resurrection, Jesus has an important dialogue with St. Peter. He asks him three times the same question, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” After (Simon) Peter responds that he does love Jesus, he is told to “feed my lambs”, “tend my sheep”, and “feed my sheep”.

The three-fold nature of Jesus’ questioning here is quite important. Remember how many times Peter denied Jesus after he was handed over to be crucified. Three times! The number three is crucial given its implication of completeness. The Trinity is one God but three Persons. Jesus resurrects on the third day.

The other interesting aspect of this exchange is clear when looking at the Greek translation, which employs different forms of love depending on its nature. Dr. Scott Hahn of St. Paul Center had a really good reflection on this that I think is worth sharing.

For the first two times that Jesus asks Peter if Peter loves him, Jesus asks if Peter has “agape” love for him, that is, unconditional love — to the degree of God’s love for us. Peter responds that he has “philia”, that is, a friendship type of love, one of a lower degree than agape. The third time Jesus asks about Peter’s love, he asks if Peter has “philia”, conceding to Peter lesser degree of love that Peter admits to have. In this way, Jesus meets Peter where he is at. In the same way, Jesus meets us where we are at while simultaneously calling us higher.

---

Saint of the Day

St. Norbert: 1080 – 1134

“You will never enjoy the sweetness of a quiet prayer, unless you shut your mind, to all worldly desires and temporal affairs.” St. Norbert