love you.” And Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon,
son of John, do you love me?” And Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love
you.” Jesus said to him, “Look after my sheep.” And a third time he said to him, “Simon,
son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was saddened because Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he
said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus then said, “Feed my sheep! Truly, I say to you, when you were young, you put
on your belt and walked where you liked. But when you grow old, you will stretch out
your hands, and another will put a belt around you, and lead you where you do not wish
to go.”
Jesus said this to make known the kind of death by which Peter was to glorify God.
And he added, “Follow me!”
Reflect
Something is lost in translation in today’s Gospel. Biblical Greek has many words
for “love.” Modern English does not offer the same option. Jesus asks Peter if he
loves him, using a word that speaks of self-sacrificing, unconditional love. Peter
responds with a word that refers to a more fraternal sort of love. That sequence
repeats the second time that Jesus questions Peter. But in the third asking, Jesus
changes the word he uses, accepting Peter’s language.
So what does this all mean? It is possible that the evangelist just used different
words to make the text read better. But it could also be an important lesson for
us. Jesus will always call us to selfsacrificing, unconditional love – th.e same
love that he shows us. But when we are unable to meet that standard, Jesus
will receive the love we are able to give with great joy. Jesus will continue to
call us to follow him, knowing that the more closely we follow him, the more
perfect our love will become.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023