April 17
JOHN 21
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” – John 21:15-19
JOHN 21 IF YOU LOVE ME
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When Jesus asked his disciples if they love him
He wanted proof of the love from them
Loving means to feed and care for his flock
It means to lay down their lives for his church.
Would you easily believe someone if that person tells you he/she loves you? Love isn’t just a feeling that one feels towards someone else. True love is peppered with commitment and responsibility. It is being there for that person for better or for worse. It is to nourish the loved one with care, attention and be able to fulfill their various needs.
A lot of failed marriages could have been saved if the concept of love was truly understood by the couple before they jumped into marrying each other. Instead, the world has bombarded us with a love that is unrealistic just like the fairy tales where boy meets girl and they live happily ever after. In this account, Jesus required his disciples to prove their love for him by feeding his flock and tending to them. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. This is what Jesus expected from them if they claimed they loved him.
REFLECTION
• How is “love” misused and misunderstood in our world today?
