“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

JOhn 21:17

John 21:15-19

Reflection

Jesus asks Simon Peter three times if he loves him. Peter replies in the affirmative each time, and Jesus tells him to feed his lambs, tend his sheep, and feed his sheep. Jesus also foretells how Peter will die.

Peter is distressed that Jesus asks him three times if he loves him. In the original text, Peter replies that he can only love Jesus with a friendship-type of love, and Jesus accepts this. What does our love for Christ look like? Is it a deep, abiding love, or more of a friendly disposition?

Jesus wants us to love him with all our heart, mind, and soul, but he knows that it can difficult to love in a completely self-giving way. When we struggle with this, he comes to us and accepts our love where it is, helping us nurture and expand it. Ask Christ to open your heart to his eternal love and increase the love you have for him.

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Saint of the Day

St. Rita of Cascia: 1381 – 1457

“Most Holy Sacred Heart of Jesus, help my heart to preserve in all that is holy.” St. Rita of Cascia