Fr. Sanctus Mario
Inspiration and Bible Reflections

Do You Love Jesus? Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Breakfast with The Word: Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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John 21:15-19Β 

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No one will claim not to love Jesus, of course, we all love Jesus. Hence, when we go through this gospel we can certainly understand that loving Jesus is not merely by saying it. It is a task full of responsibilities.

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In today’s gospel, Jesus asks Peter repeatedly do you “do you love me? and Peter’s answer is yes. In His response, Jesus gave Him a task to show that he truly loves Him.

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So, today, Jesus is asking us “Do you love me? Do you love Jesus? If you love Jesus, can you offer yourself, your time, energy and talents for Him? Let us go through the gospel.

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Read More

 

The Power to Be One. Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

 

Jesus does not want to Lose You

 

Jesus thinks of You. Tuesday Seventh Week of Easter

 

Victory Belongs to the Lord

 

Β That We May be One

 

Β Do you love me more than these?

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The first question here is “what does Jesus truly mean by β€œthese”. To understand this we have to go back to the beginning of the chapter.

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First of all, this happened after the resurrection and after a great miracle. Peter, who with the other apostles toiled all through the night but could not catch any fish became hopeless until Jesus came to the scene.

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The presence and instruction from Jesus changed the whole story. Peter was so surprised by this miracle, hence comes the question “do you love me more than these”?.

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Here Jesus is pointing to the miracle of the great catch and probably other things He has done. Peter do you love me more than these miracles?

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We can then ask ourselves; “Is the love I have for Jesus only based on wonders and miracles? Is the love I have for Jesus only based on what He does for me?

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Can I sincerely love Him whether good or bad? Why did you lose faith? Am I working for Jesus because of what I will gain?

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2. Secondly, by asking Peter this question, Jesus is telling us what true love is. Because it has not been long since Peter denied Jesus, Jesus would have reminded Peter of the denial.

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So, the question would have been ” Peter why did you deny me?” How could you lie Peter? But here, Jesus is teaching us that true love bears no grudges.

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True love is shown in moments of betrayal, challenges and troubles. Such as God loves us even though we are sinners ( Romans 5:8).

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Β If You Love MeΒ 

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Peter, having denied the Lord three times, was also asked by the Lord three times. Jesus repeats the essential question, β€œSimon, son of John, do you love Me?” These three questions hit Peter like a repeated hammer. And three times Peter’s denial ” I do not know who He is” was changed to “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

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Here, the past was swallowed, despite the pains and denial, love won the victory. Love conquers all. The easiest way to end grudges, hatred etc is to show love. Love does not glory in anger, love does not keep a record of wrongdoing ( 1 Cor 13:5).

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Here, Jesus puts into practice His command to love and forgive one another. This is the only way to show we are his disciples ( John 13:35).

So, If you truly love Jesus, forgive others also. Go back and burn the records of the past, the denials and betrayal and begin a new life. Love bears all and endures all things. ( 1 Cor 13:7).

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My Lamb, My SheepΒ 

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It is noteworthy that three times the Lord responded to Peter’s affirmation of love, β€œFeed My lambs, Shepherd My sheep and Feed My sheep.”

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First, Jesus uses “my” to denote that the work Peter is going to do is not his but that of Jesus. The souls handed into our care are not ours but that of Jesus.

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Secondly “feed, shepherd” is a task to continually take care of these souls, guiding, protecting and keeping them from being lost.

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It entails caring for the well-being of the flock. Granted, some of the sheep can be stubborn, and difficult to handle. But if Jesus loved them enough to die for them, then we all have to love them, too. Not for our own sake but for the sake of Jesus.

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If we say we love Jesus, there are souls around us who are following the wrong path, bring them back to God. Others are facing great challenges, encourage them.

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There are many dying in hunger, we can touch their lives if we can. This we are doing not for our own sake but for the sake of the one we love; Jesus. Let us live in love, this is the only way to show Jesus how much we love Him.

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May God bless you dearest and give you the grace to love Him sincerely. May He never allow you to stumble Amen

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30 Comments
  1. Mailoushi James says

    Amen remain blessed Bro to the glory of God’s name, Amen

  2. Ndukwe Amanda says

    Amen Fr

  3. Okonkwo onyinye says

    AMEN

  4. Mariajacinta Ivoke says

    Amen

  5. Boitumelo Malebatsane says

    Jesus i love you and help me love others fix my feelings,heart help me to forgive others in jesus name amenπŸ™

  6. Onyekonwu Ngozi says

    Amennnoooo! Jesus I thank you for your breakfast this morning.

  7. Onyinyechi Emeka-Ude says

    Amen.

  8. Jane chuks says

    Amen πŸ™Œ
    perfectly explained
    Thank you Father

  9. Grace Yina says

    Amen

  10. Grace Uba says

    Amen

  11. Chizoba Ekwueme says

    Amen and Amen..

  12. Regina Ajua Mobu says

    Amen

  13. Oby Okpalaeke says

    Amen πŸ™

  14. Enibe Jacinta Amara says

    Amen

  15. Chioma Frances Egwuogu says

    Amen

  16. Ahamefula Chinwe Stellamaris says

    Dear Lord give me the grace to love you sincerely andI know I will never be disappointed loving you amen πŸ™

  17. Eunice okeyo says

    AMEN πŸ™
    So encouraging .

  18. Amalu Gloria says

    Amen, God give us grace to abide in ur love and do your own will in Jesus name amen.

  19. Udemezue Martina Mary says

    Amen

  20. Agudosi Cordelia chinyere says

    Amen

  21. Peter Anthony Dodoh says

    Amen πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

  22. Gabriel-Martin says

    Amen Fr

  23. Eze Juliana Nkechi says

    Amen

  24. John Obasi says

    Amen πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

  25. Anidiobi Sylvia Ngozi says

    LOVE CONQUERS ALLπŸ™

  26. Angela Ekere says

    Amen

  27. Cornelia Anyiam says

    Amen.

  28. Chidiebere says

    Amen πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

  29. Dr. Julie says

    God Give me the Grace to do your will. Amen

  30. Bibiana Uche Unachukwu and family says

    A big Amen

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