"Do You Love Me?"

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
John 21:15–19

There is something beautifully disarming about this scene on the shore. The risen Jesus does not lecture Peter, nor does Jesus revisit the sting of Peter’s denial. Instead, Jesus asks a simple, searching question: “Do you love me?” Not once, but three times—mirroring Peter's three denials, yes, but also offering three opportunities for healing, restoration, and renewed purpose.

Jesus meets Peter right where he is: humbled, wounded, unsure of himself. And Jesus does the same with us. When we feel like we’ve fallen short, when we’re painfully aware of our imperfections, Jesus doesn’t push us away. He draws us close and invites us to begin again—not by proving ourselves, but by loving him.

What’s striking is that Jesus immediately connects love with mission: “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep.” Love for Christ naturally overflows into care for others. It becomes visible in compassion, patience, forgiveness, and the willingness to walk with people in their struggles. Jesus doesn’t ask Peter to be perfect; he asks Peter—and us—to be faithful.

And then Jesus says something Peter had heard once before: “Follow me.” It’s the same invitation that began Peter’s journey, now spoken again after failure, growth, and grace. It reminds us that discipleship is not a straight line. It’s a lifelong return to the One who calls us, restores us, and entrusts us with his people.

Wherever we find ourselves today—confident or uncertain, strong or stumbling—Jesus asks us the same gentle question: Do you love me? And Jesus offers us the same hopeful invitation: "Follow me."

You are invited to reflect today about how is Jesus inviting you to express your love for him in concrete ways this week? Where might you need to receive Jesus' forgiveness or begin again with a renewed heart?

Lord Jesus,
you meet me with mercy and call me to
follow you with a renewed heart.
Deepen my love for you, and let that love
overflow into care for those you place in my path.
Strengthen me to serve with humility, compassion, and joy.
Amen.

This reflection was prepared with the assistance of CoPilot.