Today’s message is about love.
She looked at him and said, “Art, do you love me?” He opened his eyes and said, “Yes.”
My Uncle Art had multiple sclerosis for as long as I knew him. My dad told us he had MS for over 30 years. Art had married our dad’s oldest sister, Lou, our Aunt Lou.
It was a painful process watching our Uncle Art lose physical control of his body. It was a challenge to see Aunt Lou sacrifice every free minute to be his caregiver, yet she had a remarkable outlook and sense of humor.
Sadly, the MS had begun to affect Uncle Art’s brain, and he became combative and angry. The disease does that.
One day, I was at his bedside in the hospital when, without any warning, Art became agitated and angry. The nurses tried to calm him down but were unable to do so. And then Aunt Lou got right in Uncle Art’s face and said, “Art, do you love me?” Art opened his eyes and immediately visibly relaxed. Aunt Lou asked him, “How about a kiss?” He smiled and kissed her.
Aunt Lou said it a third time, “Art, do you love me? I love you.” He answered, “I love you too.” Then he fell asleep, never to wake up.
Despite being confused, frightened and hurting, Uncle Art was assured of Aunt Lou’s love, and it gave him the courage to let go and let God. The one thing that MS could not take away from Uncle Art was his love for Aunt Lou.
I share this story because, despite Peter’s denials of knowing Jesus and failure to stand by Him when Jesus needed him the most, Jesus calmed Peter down. Jesus did this by asking Peter three times if he loved Him.
Our Gospel this morning is more than a story of a failed fishing expedition; it is a story of forgiveness. Like Thomas last week, Peter is given a chance to renew his faith. Not by placing his hands in the hands of the risen Christ, but by expressing his love three times to make up for the three times he denied Jesus.
How would you feel if Jesus asked you the same question this morning? Imagine Jesus looking straight at your face and calling you by name like he did Peter, asking, “Do you love me?”
Me, I would feel intimidated, uneasy and very anxious.
What would be your answer to the Lord’s question this morning? What would you say? How would you feel?
Take your time, think about it and hear the Lord asking you at this very moment, “Do you love me?”
Is there anyone here who would say, “No, I don’t love you?” Of course, we all say we love the Lord, that is the expected answer. But do we really?
Peter’s answer was, “Yes Lord, I love you.” Do you remember the Lord’s answer? “Feed my lambs.” If we loved the Lord, then we would clearly understand that feeding His lambs means we feed the hungry, we clothe the naked and we shelter the homeless.
Christ asks the same question a second and third time. Peter’s answer is the same, “Yes, Lord, I love you.” Jesus’ answer is the same, “Tend my sheep and feed my sheep.”
Loving the Lord is more than words; it is action! It is a radical love. Loving the Lord means a total conversion of heart and mind.
Love isn’t something on the periphery; it is at the very center of our being. People who really love have hopeful hearts, even in the midst of compassionate fatigue from caring for others. Lovers are positive and attentive.
Remember, the way we love actually shapes the way we pray.
Maybe that is why the repeated question bothers us when we hear it again, “Do you love me?” We understand what love really involves. We know Peter became emotionally unglued and said loudly in protest, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
So, let’s listen to the haunting question once again. Hear the Lord asking you personally, “Do you love me?”
Take your time because if you really love the Lord, then this time, you will be asked to not only feed lambs but also to tend sheep, which may include giving clean water to those who are thirsty or welcoming the stranger that comes to your neighborhood.
To say you love the Lord without acting upon it is meaningless. Hear the Lord asking you a third time, “Do you love me?” Stay with the question. Think about it. Let it echo inside of your inner soul. Do not give your answer lightly.
Maybe your reply will be the same as Peter, “Lord you know everything, and you know that I love you.”
Or do you have another answer? Something like, “Lord you know everything. You know that I want to love You, but I also want to have a good life. You see my dilemma and how consumed I am with my spouse, children, work and making more money, leisure activities and just daily living. I want to love You, but…
“But what?” says the Lord. “You say you love me, yet my hunger turns into malnutrition and starvation, while you overeat. You say you love me, yet you stuff your closets with designer clothes you will wear once or not at all, and I go naked.
Jesus makes it clear that loving Him requires loving all His people. Our love for Jesus is not just about us. It is not about following rubrics and laws. Jesus tells us, “If you love me, you will love all your brothers and sisters, not only in word but also in deed. I don’t want long, verbose prayers or pious expressions of phony love. Authentic love is the sign of my intentional disciples who follow me, not just admire me!”
Love can change the world and make it a better place for all of us. True love dissolves all hate and fear and makes our vision bright and clear.
Many of us have GPS systems in our cars or on our phones. We have come to rely on our Global Positioning System to guide us and take us where we are going. My suggestion is that we continue to also rely on another GPS system: Gospel Positioning System. Listening and living the gospel words of Jesus.
I have been your pastor for many years now. The more I get to know you, the more I marvel at how you show your love for Jesus Christ. There is so much talent, energy and faith in this community.
Christ has nourished us, blessed us, loved us and because of that, He says, “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” Let us continue to do so by caring for people and creation every day.
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