“The Gospel gives us one of the most touching conversations in the Bible. Jesus asks Peter a question—not once, but three times: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
At first, we may wonder: Why did Jesus keep asking the same question? Did Jesus not hear Peter the first time? No.
Jesus was not looking for information. Jesus was healing Peter’s heart. Remember what happened before this. On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Him three times.
Three times Peter said: “I do not know Him.” Imagine Peter carrying that guilt. Peter had promised, “Lord, I will never leave You.” But when fear came, he failed.
And perhaps Peter was asking himself: “Can Jesus still trust me?” “After what I did, is there still a place for me?”
So after the Resurrection, Jesus meets Peter—not to embarrass him, not to scold him—but to restore him. Three denials. Three professions of love. Each question became an opportunity for healing. Each answer became a step back into mission.
Brothers and sisters, notice something beautiful. Jesus did not ask Peter: “Peter, why did you fail?” “Peter, explain yourself.” “Peter, prove your worth.”
Instead, Jesus asks: “Do you love me?”
Because in the end, the Christian life is not built on perfection. It is built on love. Jesus knows that people who love deeply can rise again even after falling.
Maybe some of us are like Peter. Perhaps we failed as parents. Failed in relationships. Failed in our commitments. Failed spiritually. Some carry guilt and silently think: “I disappointed God.”
But today’s Gospel gives hope. Jesus does not define Peter by his worst moment. Jesus sees what Peter can still become. And He does the same for us.
One priest once said: “God is not surprised by our weakness. What disappoints Him more is when we stop coming back.”
After every answer of Peter, Jesus gives him a mission: “Feed my lambs.” “Tend my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.”
Meaning: Peter, despite your wounds, I still trust you. I still have work for you.
What a beautiful God we have. Not a God who throws people away after failure. But a God who restores and sends.
And notice one more thing. Jesus does not ask: “Peter, do you understand everything?” He only asks: “Do you love me?” Because love comes first. Everything else follows.
Today, Jesus asks each one of us personally: Do you love Me more than your comfort? Do you love Me more than your fears? Do you love Me enough to serve, forgive, and continue?
And even if our answer is imperfect like Peter’s, may we simply say: “Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You.”
And perhaps Jesus will tell us once again: “Then continue. Feed my sheep.”