Do You Love Me

Homily for Friday of the 7th Week of Easter

We have reached the twenty-first and last chapter of the Gospel of St. John. Scripture scholars believe that chapter twenty-one was added on to the Gospel a short while after its composition. This evangelist is believed to have lived in Ephesus with the Blessed Mother after the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The author is thought by many to be the unnamed Beloved Disciple of the fourth Gospel. It seems that some members of the community thought that because Peter had denied Christ, he was no longer worthy of being the rock on which Jesus built his Church. So the evangelist adds this chapter to “rehabilitate” Peter. Jesus asks him three times, “Do you love me?” There can be no doubt that the evangelist poses the question three times to compare his love and devotion to his momentary denial when he feared for his life.

Peter appears to be incredulous at Jesus’ question. “Of course I love you.” If the question were posed to each of us, we would all probably have the same reaction. Of course, we love Jesus. However, perhaps the question is posed to us today in order for us to examine if perhaps our love for Jesus has become something we take for granted. Do we actually say the words “I love you,” to Jesus in our prayer each day? Do we make this a part of our daily prayer?

It may have been frustrating for Peter to hear this question three times, but perhaps it took three times for him to feel the impact necessary to recognize the need to say it explicitly. If it is important to tell others that they are loved, it is also important that we tell Jesus this as well. When we receive the Eucharist, it might be a good time to state our love for him and to thank him for his love for us, shown so clearly in the gift of the Eucharist.