Apostolic Love

Scripture: Lectionary 301. Acts 25:13-21. Psalm 103: 1-2,11-12, 19-20.
John 21:15-19.

Even in the Resurrection narratives of John we find the theme of agape love
continuing. This time Jesus is questioning Peter and us through this scene
about whether Peter loves him; whether we truly love the Word made flesh,
Jesus. Peter is asked three times by Jesus whether he loves him. This is
not necessarily because he had denied Jesus during the time of his
suffering and trial. It is more the profound deepening of a call that
Peter had already embraced when Jesus invited him to follow him. As we
know, he becomes the spokesperson and leader for the other eleven apostles
and is featured especially in Mark's Gospel.

Jesus wants all of his followers to have the lessons of love imprinted
deeply within their hearts. It is never a mind trip or an abstract journey
with the Lord. It is always a question of following the lessons of
love--selfless love and love of even those who do not like us or persecute
us in some manner. Surely we often need forgiveness for our lack of love
so Jesus does ask us often (more than three times) do you really love me.
Peter was hurt when Jesus pursued this with him, but he eventually realized
the meaning of Jesus threefold query about the commandment of agape love.

Peter will now be able to love Jesus to the very end of his life just as
Jesus did for him and gave him the supreme example of persevering in love
for him and the rest of his apostles and friends. John 13:1 brings this out
so well that we profit by hearing or reading it again and again: "Before
the feast of the Passover, Jesus realized that the hour had come for him to
pass from this world to the Father. He had loved his own in this world, and
would show his love for them to the end." We inherit this love from Jesus
and nourish it through the Eucharist when we receive him. Or when we
follow him closely and witness to him through love of our neighbor, proper
love of ourself, and love of our enemies or those who hate us. Our love is
always being strengthened by Jesus' love for us so that we grow in the call
of love that he gives to us as his believing followers and believing
communities of faith. Jesus urges us to go deeper in what this love means
for his followers.

Jesus speaks to Peter in order to help him and the others realize that this
type of love can make the supreme demand upon them. Most of them will love
in this manner and will be martyred for their love for Jesus. Peter will be
a model for this as Jesus even foretells what sort of death the apostle
would undergo. He will lose all control (a deadly attitude against love)
of where he will be and where he will go. He will be crucified like Jesus
and become a great witness for Jesus by yielding his life for the Lord.
This act of selfless love is being called for in us through today's lesson.
Then Jesus ends with the summons, " Follow me!" Amen. Alleluiah.