Do you love me?

**media[17323]**REFLECTIONS TODAYThe repeated question of the Lord to Peter, “Do you love me?” (vv 15-17), is an invitation to a well thoughtout, honest response and not just a superficial one. While not everyone finds it easy to say, “Yes, I love you,” saying it can also be just an “automatic” act.In a sense, the question asked thrice has the value of “Do you really, truly, love me?” And with this is implied the imperative, “Show it in action!” As many have already commented, this act of Jesus asking Peter the same question thrice corresponds to or parallels his three acts of denial earlier when Jesus was detained. So, Peter’s answer this time is one of conviction, and with an openness to do what Jesus asks of him. And what Jesus asks of him is to take care and feed his sheep and lambs (vv 15-17). From our weakness we rise to maturity as we open ourselves to God and learn from our mistakes. Peter is a good example for all of us struggling to love truly. Is our love for Jesus also true and genuine? Or is it vacillating, inconsistent, undependable? Let us beg for the grace of true and genuine love which is a “fruit” of the Holy Spirit.First Reading • Acts 25:13b-21 King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea on a visit to Festus. Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There is a man here left in custody by Felix. When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation. I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge. So when they came together here, I made no delay; the next day I took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected. Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”Gospel • John 21:15-19 After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a 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. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.