We may ask those closest to us, “Do you love me?”. Playfully or seriously, it is a way to find out if our bond is strong through ups and downs. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is asking the same question from Peter, not once but thrice. Jesus chose the perfect moment to re-commission Peter. Jesus performs a mir-acle, of a huge catch of fish that reminds Peter of the moment he was called to be a disciple. Only a few days earlier, Peter had stood by a fire denying Jesus, and now Peter sits by a fire eating breakfast and Jesus asks him “Do you love me?”. Each time Jesus asks this question, Peter recommits himself to the Lord. Jesus also reaffirms his purpose with “Feed my sheep,” showing that forgive-ness is followed by a “call to action” in the Kingdom of God. St. Paul lived out his calling, willing to suffer for the Lord. He was also once “restored to sight” and “called to action” by the Lord. The Lord is challenging us to ask ourselves if we love him and if we are fulfilling our “call to action.”

PRAYER: Abba Father, thank you for stirring my heart that I may be restored and renewed to respond to your “call to action”. Amen.