Peter's Deep Pain at Jesus' Third time Asking about - Do You Love Me

Gospel Thoughts

*Easter Season : Seventh Week - Friday*

*Peter's Deep Pain at Jesus' Third time Asking about - Do You Love Me*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 21:15-19*

*FIRST READING - Acts 25:13b-21*

*1) Do You Love Me?*

We find this beautiful question in today's Gospel. 

Jesus asks this question to Peter, after His resurrection. 

Jesus would have asked any other questions, like,

Will you continue my mission? 

Will you remain faithful to me? 

Will you preach my message to the people? 

But Jesus asked *Do you love me?*

This question is because, when a person loves, He/She is able to do anything in life. 

So Jesus asked this question.  

*2) Jesus asking First Time*

When Jesus asked for the First time Peter joyously answered this Question in a positive tone

He said yes Lord i love you 

This is the first reaction of Peter towards Jesus 

*3) Jesus asking Second Time*

When Jesus asked second time, once again Peter answers in a positive tone

He says yes Lord I love you

Here Peter might not have paid much attention while answering the question. 

When Jesus asked he answered the Question

*4) Jesus Asking Third time*

When Jesus asked for third time the reaction of Peter was quite different

Peter felt a kind of sorrow in his heart, he was anxious and he was bit hurt to hear the same question for the third time 

He might have thought, that Jesus is dobuting his answer to the question. 

That might have been the reson for his pain 

*5) What happens when the same question is asked for third time?*

When the same question is aske for the third time, Peter was hurt 

But on the other side, it is also possible that, it made Peter to think what he was saying 

When he answered for the third time, he really paid attention to the question and answered it 

When something is asked or answered for the third time, it appears that the matter is important or serious 

So these are the other implications of asking for the third time 

*6) Do you love me?*

Finally Jesus is asking the same question to all of us. What is my reply? 

Will i feel hurt like Peter? 

Will i doubt like Peter for some time? 

Will i answer in a positive way? 

What will be my reaction to this question? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*