“When therefore, they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: ‘Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me more than these?’ He saith to Him: ‘Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee.’ He saith to him: ‘Feed My lambs.’
He saith to him again: ‘Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me?’ He saith to Him: ‘Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee.’ He saith to him: ‘Feed My lambs.’
He saith to him the third time: ‘Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me?’ Peter was grieved, because He had said to him the third time, ‘Lovest thou Me?’ and he said to Him: ‘Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee.’ He said to him: ‘Feed My sheep’” (John 21, 15–17).
First Prelude: Behold Jesus, with inimitable meekness, asking Peter:
“Lovest thou Me?”
Second Prelude: Impress Thy love so deeply on my heart, O Jesus, that all my actions may testify mine to Thee.
First Point
JESUS DEMANDS GREATER LOVE OF PETER
Peter was called to hold a prominent office among the Apostles. Jesus willed to commit to him the full charge of His flock; therefore He must needs demand greater love of Peter. By asking him: “Simon, lovest thou Me more than these?” Jesus permitted Peter to make a confession of his love in the presence of the other Apostles. Had Jesus asked Peter this question at an earlier day, Peter should very likely, without hesitation, have declared that he loved Him more. Had he not in the Supper Room declared that he would remain true to our Lord though all the rest should forsake Him? Sad experience had taught him to be more prudent, and, in all humility, he was careful not to set himself above the other disciples. He, therefore, answered not, “Yes, Lord, I love Thee more than these,” but merely “Yes, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee!” We, too, by virtue of our holy vocation, must aspire to great perfection, great sanctity and love. God’s goodness has called us to a congregation devoted to the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Does our love in reality harmonize with the sanctity of our state of life? Does not Jesus often demand a confession of our love in the presence of our fellow-religious or our charges, if not in words, at least in the many occasions He furnishes us for sacrifice? He seems to say: Lovest thou Me? Then carry the cross of community life in all its details. Lovest thou Me? Then shoulder the hardships ordinarily inseparable from the care of the sick and the instruction of youth. Lovest thou Me? Then be obedient, humble, meek and gentle. Lovest thou Me? Then observe the rule of silence, be recollected and zealous in prayer and meditation.
What do I most frequently answer Jesus by my actions? Dare I presume to love Him more than others, who have not received so many graces? How deplorable were it not, if to our Lord’s question: “Lovest thou Me?” I should be obliged to answer: Lord, Thou knowest that I love myself, my comfort and convenience, that I seek honor and the vain praise of creatures.
Second Point
JESUS REPEATS HIS QUESTION THE SECOND AND THE THIRD TIME
By the repeated question: “Lovest thou Me?” Jesus willed to teach us that love must be persevering. The demands of love are not satisfied by merely saying in moments of fervor, “My God, I love Thee,” but love must constantly burn in our hearts. We must, therefore, nourish the fire of love by means of fervent aspirations and prayers, by the faithful observance of the commandments and the counsels, by the practice of good works, but above all, by the conscientious discharge of our duties. Having been asked the third time, “Lovest thou Me?” Peter remembered his three-fold denial of the Master and became sad. Utterly distrusting his own heart, he answered: “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” No sooner had Peter atoned for his base denial by this humble confession, than Jesus fulfilled a promise made to Peter at an earlier day, to give him the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, that is to entrust to him the administration of His Church. By this sacred trust Peter was likewise enabled to discharge the commission confided to him with the words: “But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not; and thou, being once converted, confirm thy brethren” (Luke 22, 32). Jesus confided this sacred office not to the virgin disciple, John, but to the penitent Peter, to convince us of the love and compassion with which He receives a contrite and humble heart. Was ever goodness like to the goodness of Jesus?
Should not the remembrance of my former sins incite me to greater penance, to more profound humility, to persevering fidelity? Have I confessed the Lord by my works of love and zeal for souls, as often as I formerly perhaps denied His love by my sinful deeds?
Affections: It is true, O my Saviour, that I have frequently offended Thee. I have rendered myself undeserving of Thy friendship and Thy grace. I repent of my sins in all sincerity of soul and desire to atone for them by profound humility and persevering zeal. Such a sincere desire encourages me to say, with St. Peter: Lord Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee, that I desire to love Thee more and more. Tear away my heart from every other love, cleanse it of every inordinate inclination, that Thy holy love may replenish it with increased fervor and constancy. Grant me grace to show my love for Thee by renewed fidelity to the duties of my state of life.
Resolution: I will endeavor to manifest my love of my Divine Lord by self-immolation to the cause of Christian education.
Spiritual Bouquet: “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee!”
Prayer: Take, O Lord…
Second Prelude: Impress Thy love so deeply on my heart, O Jesus, that all my actions may testify mine to Thee.
First Point
JESUS DEMANDS GREATER LOVE OF PETER
Peter was called to hold a prominent office among the Apostles. Jesus willed to commit to him the full charge of His flock; therefore He must needs demand greater love of Peter. By asking him: “Simon, lovest thou Me more than these?” Jesus permitted Peter to make a confession of his love in the presence of the other Apostles. Had Jesus asked Peter this question at an earlier day, Peter should very likely, without hesitation, have declared that he loved Him more. Had he not in the Supper Room declared that he would remain true to our Lord though all the rest should forsake Him? Sad experience had taught him to be more prudent, and, in all humility, he was careful not to set himself above the other disciples. He, therefore, answered not, “Yes, Lord, I love Thee more than these,” but merely “Yes, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee!” We, too, by virtue of our holy vocation, must aspire to great perfection, great sanctity and love. God’s goodness has called us to a congregation devoted to the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Does our love in reality harmonize with the sanctity of our state of life? Does not Jesus often demand a confession of our love in the presence of our fellow-religious or our charges, if not in words, at least in the many occasions He furnishes us for sacrifice? He seems to say: Lovest thou Me? Then carry the cross of community life in all its details. Lovest thou Me? Then shoulder the hardships ordinarily inseparable from the care of the sick and the instruction of youth. Lovest thou Me? Then be obedient, humble, meek and gentle. Lovest thou Me? Then observe the rule of silence, be recollected and zealous in prayer and meditation.
What do I most frequently answer Jesus by my actions? Dare I presume to love Him more than others, who have not received so many graces? How deplorable were it not, if to our Lord’s question: “Lovest thou Me?” I should be obliged to answer: Lord, Thou knowest that I love myself, my comfort and convenience, that I seek honor and the vain praise of creatures.
Second Point
JESUS REPEATS HIS QUESTION THE SECOND AND THE THIRD TIME
By the repeated question: “Lovest thou Me?” Jesus willed to teach us that love must be persevering. The demands of love are not satisfied by merely saying in moments of fervor, “My God, I love Thee,” but love must constantly burn in our hearts. We must, therefore, nourish the fire of love by means of fervent aspirations and prayers, by the faithful observance of the commandments and the counsels, by the practice of good works, but above all, by the conscientious discharge of our duties. Having been asked the third time, “Lovest thou Me?” Peter remembered his three-fold denial of the Master and became sad. Utterly distrusting his own heart, he answered: “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” No sooner had Peter atoned for his base denial by this humble confession, than Jesus fulfilled a promise made to Peter at an earlier day, to give him the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, that is to entrust to him the administration of His Church. By this sacred trust Peter was likewise enabled to discharge the commission confided to him with the words: “But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not; and thou, being once converted, confirm thy brethren” (Luke 22, 32). Jesus confided this sacred office not to the virgin disciple, John, but to the penitent Peter, to convince us of the love and compassion with which He receives a contrite and humble heart. Was ever goodness like to the goodness of Jesus?
Should not the remembrance of my former sins incite me to greater penance, to more profound humility, to persevering fidelity? Have I confessed the Lord by my works of love and zeal for souls, as often as I formerly perhaps denied His love by my sinful deeds?
Affections: It is true, O my Saviour, that I have frequently offended Thee. I have rendered myself undeserving of Thy friendship and Thy grace. I repent of my sins in all sincerity of soul and desire to atone for them by profound humility and persevering zeal. Such a sincere desire encourages me to say, with St. Peter: Lord Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee, that I desire to love Thee more and more. Tear away my heart from every other love, cleanse it of every inordinate inclination, that Thy holy love may replenish it with increased fervor and constancy. Grant me grace to show my love for Thee by renewed fidelity to the duties of my state of life.
Resolution: I will endeavor to manifest my love of my Divine Lord by self-immolation to the cause of Christian education.
Spiritual Bouquet: “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee!”
Prayer: Take, O Lord…
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