“He said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And [Peter] said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”…And after this [Jesus] said to him, “Follow me.”
– John 21:17-19
Meditation
When Jesus entrusted His mission to Peter, he did not give him a long contract to sign or a list of roles and responsibilities. No, he simply asked one question three times: Peter, do you love me? The saints did all the wonderful things they did first and foremost because they were lovers. St. John of the Cross states, “The smallest movement of pure love is worth more to the Church than all works put together.” Even if we accomplish everything on our personal and professional lists for this year, God will continue to ask each one of us this one personal question with much deeper implications: do you love me? Let us rediscover God’s love for us and our love for God, which is not a feeling, but a choice.
Live It! Tip of the Week: When you examine your conscious tonight, remain on the first part of the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Remember St. Therese’s words: “It is love alone that counts.” Be encouraged that God loves you and will give you the grace to love Him back. Just ask!
Prayer
Lord, open my heart to receive the love in this moment between us. Give me the faith to hear you say, “Do you love me?” and the grace to respond like Peter: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
