Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
“Do you love me?”
“Do I what?”
“Do you love me?”
“... For twenty-five years, I’ve washed your clothes, cooked your meals, cleaned your house, given you children, milked the cow. After twenty-five years, why talk about love right now?”
I played one of the daughters in Fiddler on the Roof when I was in eighth grade, so this song came to mind as I was reflecting on today’s Gospel. If you are familiar with the musical, you will recognize the lyrics above as a conversation between Tevye and Golde who have spent twenty-five years in an arranged marriage and apparently never talked about love.
Our Gospel today describes a conversation about love between Peter and Jesus. When Jesus asked, “Do you love me?”, Peter was quick to respond “yes.” Jesus asks the questions three times, restoring Peter to himself after three prior instances of denial. And Jesus’ response each time, “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” “Feed my sheep,” challenges Peter to extend this love further into service.
By the end of the song between Tevye and Golde, they determine that they suppose they do love each other and, while it’s still nice to know, the more significant fact is how it is expressed in their actions and the way they live for one another. By the end of the conversation between Jesus and Peter, it is clear that this love MUST change how we live our lives. This is not just a “feel-good” conversation and Jesus does not walk away thinking, “well it’s nice to know that Peter loves me.” No, this is a call to love more deeply. Jesus walks away saying, “follow me.” Peter is called to follow Jesus’ example as the ultimate servant. We are called to follow this same example. Jesus doesn’t say, “Feed my sheep… but only if they voted for the same person as you” or “...only if they do not have a history of drug use” or “...only if they are (or are not) wearing a mask.” Jesus says “Feed my sheep.” Plain and simple. If you love me, serve my people, as I serve them.
If Jesus asked me, “do you love me?” I think my initial response would be just as quick as Peter’s and I would be just as distressed if he asked me three times. But it is a deeper question. My heart responds “yes,” but do my thoughts, decisions and actions represent this love? Am I an extension of Jesus?
If Jesus asked you, “do you love me?” what would you say? How do you show it through action? Have you ever asked God the same question, “God, do you love me?” (Spoiler Alert) Yes, God absolutely loves you! Reflect on how and in what ways the expression of God’s love has entered your life recently.
Abundant Blessings,
LeeAnn Meyer