One of the most haunting scenes in Scripture to me is the conversation that Jesus has with Peter at the end of the Gospel of John (21:15-19). Three times Jesus asks the question, “Do you love me?” I’m reminded of this scene as we move through The Jesus Creed and are consistently being invited to reflect upon, declare, and demonstrate our love for God and others.
Most scholars see the three-fold re-affirmation of Peter’s love as a contrast to his three-fold denial days earlier. If the scene with Peter and Jesus feels awkward and oddly repetitive …and you find yourself experiencing the angst of Peter as he declares, “of course I love you!” then be comforted in knowing that the awkwardness is the point. We too find ourselves hearing the repetitions of themes and questions and if can feel laborious to return to our same ol’ answer. Sometimes it’s our shame or fear that keeps us from drawing near the Savior. Like Peter, we need not hear Jesus’ questions as a “shame on you” but more as an “are you ready to come home?”
Take heart, dear church! Jesus knows the Abba’s heart so well that he wants to convey his never-ending, never-exhausted love, never-second-guessed love to all of us who need to be invited back. Let us return to the feast with Jesus and confident in his reception. Then, listen to His voice and trust that he will use us to reflect his love to the world.
Not Just a Corner 