Do You Love Me?

Homily for Friday of the Seventh Week in Easter

During the first week of the Easter Season, the week that we call the Octave of Easter, the lectionary proclaims all of the appearance stories from the Gospels. The story in St. John’s Gospel is repeated for the final two days of the Easter season. Sometimes this appearance story from the Gospel of St. John is “nicknamed” the story of the Last Breakfast with a nod to the Last Supper as it is recorded in the Gospels.

The three synoptic Gospels all record a time when Jesus asks all of his disciples: “Who do people say that I am?” Curiously, the Gospel of St. John does not record this event, nor does it record St. Peter’s response; namely, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” This story, then, is often referred to as St. John’s way of recording Peter’s faith.

However, there is another reason why this story is special. In the midst of Jesus’s appearance, he asks St.  Peter, “Simon Peter, do you love me.” As some of you may know, the Greek language has several different ways to express the word love, each one of them reflecting a different kind of love. In this particular instance, St. John uses the word “agape.” This particular word means the kind of love that can be compared to complete and total loyalty – a love that cannot be broken even under the most dire threat.

It is quite obvious in this Gospel story that St. Peter is somewhat hurt by the question. He realizes immediately that the reason Jesus questions him three times reflects the fact that he has denied knowing Christ three times on the night before his death. Each time that Jesus asks, St. Peter is adamant in his love. When Jesus asks the third time, St. Peter’s response is even more forceful: “"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."

Each time that St. Peter responds, Jesus says: “Feed my sheep” or “Tend my sheep” or “Feed my lambs.” We all know that St. Peter was able to live up to his response in this instance. He gave up his life for his faith and was crucified in Rome.

As we approach the Eucharist today, let us ask that Christ’s body and blood renew our love for our Lord, and strengthen us as we seek to follow him. As we receive Communion today, let us also say: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”