Simon Peter

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Simon Peter

Three Time Denier

Tend   Feed   Follow

Do You Love Me?

Yes, Lord

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 21:17

Jesus said to Peter a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was upset that Jesus had asked him this a third time.

He said to Jesus, "You know everything; you know how much I love you."

Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."

Reflection

Do you love Jesus?

In some ways this was a very difficult question for Peter (and for all of us) to answer. After all, Peter had denied Jesus three times when he had the opportunity to let others know that he was a follower of Jesus.

We also, of course, have many opportunities to say that we follow Jesus each day. How many of us take advantage of these and actually proclaim our love for Jesus by caring for others, especially those on the margins of society---the "untouchables" of today.

We can tend to the needs of others by feeding the hungry and welcoming those fleeing from danger. Are we too busy protecting our own interests and worried about ourselves to reach out to those whose presence makes us uncomfortable? Are we too afraid that we won't have enough to buy a bigger home or a better car?

Jesus tells Peter to literally feed others. We are all aware and try our best to share our food when we encounter someone who needs a good meal. Feeding, however, can take on many dimensions. 

Pope Francis reminded us that when we encounter someone on the street who could be homeless or lonely, we should look them in the eyes and speak with them. Of course, we are all very busy and it is a challenge to give someone that amount of time. We don't like to have our schedule interrupted. However, if we love Jesus, maybe that is the feeding that is needed for that person at that moment.

So many people are just ignored. They might be feeling unloved and unimportant. Isn't Jesus telling us that each person in His flock is important? Shouldn't each person be fed? We never know if our stopping to acknowledge an individual might be a turning point for that person.

Jesus called Peter and calls us to follow Him. We know this will not always be easy. It could bring us into situations that might make us afraid and uncomfortable. We certainly have to be wise and careful. The thought we have to ponder concerns our ability to do a little more to follow Jesus.

Thinking about that and praying over it can lead us to be more aware of some ways we can "follow". We know that Jesus will lead us and guide us in this regard if we are open and take time to discern.

As situations present themselves, we will have the opportunity that Peter had to say "Yes, Lord!". If we fail sometimes (as Peter did), Jesus will not give up on us. He healed Peter of his three-fold denial by asking him three times if he loved Him. 

We know that when we do stumble, hesitate, give in to our fears, Jesus understands. He asks us if we love Him, because He doesn't want anything to separate us from His Love.

Do you love Him?

1. Why is "Do you love Jesus?" a difficult question in some respects?

2. How do you try to follow Jesus each day?

3. How can our fears stop us from feeding others?

4. What do you feel as you ponder Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)