Reaction of Peter at third time when Jesus asked Do You Love Me?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season : Seventh Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Jn 21:15-19*

*First Reading : Acts 25:13b-21*

*Reaction of Peter at third time when Jesus asked Do You Love Me?*

*1) Jesus' Special Question to Peter*

To Peter Jesus asked this particular question  *“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”*

When Jesus asked for the first time he answered in a normal way. He said *“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”*

When Jesus asked for the Second time, still he answered in a normal way. He said  *“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”*

*2) Peters Reaction at the Third time?*

The Gospel clearly Shows that at the third time when Jesus asked, Peter's reaction was quite different 

First of all,  He was distressed when he heard that question from Jesus at the third time 

He was little upset, he was little sad to hear that questions from Jesus at the third time 

So he said: * “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”*

*3) Peter's reactions involve the Followers things*

He carefully understood what Jesus was asking Him. 

Secondly, Peter had no doubt whatsoever, with regard to His love to Jesus. He firmly believed that he had loved Jesus 

Thirdly, to hear such intimate question from Jesus for the third time was very painful to Peter, because he loved Jesus deeply 

Fourthly, this question made Him to think about His own love towards Jesus and His responsibility towards Jesus  

*4) What about my reaction?*

The similar questions which was asked to Peter, Jesus also asks us in many situations of our life 

What is our reaction? Is it like first two times of Peter or the Third time of Peter 

The first two times does not make any effect in ones life 

The turning point or the very powerful moment was when Jesus asked for the third and and the reaction of Peter 

Third time reaction, in fact had lots of effects on the life of Peter

*5) Jesus not only three times but asks many times with Us*

Jesus who asked questions for three times  to Peter, asks the many other similar questions to all of us

What is my reaction? 

Is it like first two times of Peter or the third time of Peter? 

At times I respond to Jesus like the first two times of Peter, which does not see any difference in life 

Only the reactions like third time will make some difference in ones life 

If my reaction is like that of first two times of Peter, I need to change my attitude in life

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*