Do You Love Me?
By Mike Lambrecht
In today's Gospel we heard the words of our Lord to Peter, "Do you love me?" Peter was hurt by the triple questioning of his love for the Lord. In explaining this passage, I have heard some theologians describe this event as Jesus giving Peter an opportunity to make up for his thrice denial of him during the passion. While this may be true, I also believe that this is a question that we must answer ourselves. How much do we love the Lord?
Scripture tells us that the greatest commandment of all is, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength."1 How often do we think about this in our lives? More importantly, how often do we actually put God first in our day to day living? This means that God must come before family, friends, career, etc. Jesus' own words tell us, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."2
If we are truly honest with ourselves, I believe that most of us fall far short of this goal. How many times do we forget to pray each day? How often have we traveled across the state to see, or participate in, a sporting event, but we can't seem to find the energy to drive across town to go to Mass? These are just a couple of examples. The list could go on and on. I am not trying to be discouraging. Rather, I am hoping that during this Easter season, all of us may strive a little harder to put God first in our lives.
The first reading from today spoke of the apostles, "rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name [of Jesus]."3 In comparison, do we even bother to speak up when we hear someone bad-mouthing Jesus or the Church? Or, do we take the easy way out and remain silent? I know what you are thinking... We are not the apostles. We can't work the miracles that they did. In a sense, you are correct.
However, in about five weeks, we will be celebrating Pentecost--The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. The same Spirit, which filled the Apostles with God's grace on Pentecost, continues to fill us with his grace even in this day and age. By virtue of the sacrament of Confirmation, we have become soldiers for Christ. We have an obligation to speak the truth with love to those around us. We may not be called upon to work great miracles in our lives, but we can certainly work small ones with the grace of God. "Thus, every person, through these gifts given to him, is at once the witness and the living instrument of the mission of the Church itself 'according to the measure of Christ's bestowal.'"4 By the witness and example of our lives, we can help to bring about a conversion in the world around us. This conversion can not start without our efforts. Pope John Paul II called for a "New Evangelization" of the world. Now, more than ever, we need to stand up for what we believe in. The "New Evangelization" must begin with us. If we all do a little to change the world around us, together, we can do a lot. For, if we are not willing to follow the Gospel call, then who will?
1 Mark 12:30; see also Matthew 22:37 and Deuteronomy 6:4
2 Matthew 10:37
3 Acts 5:41
4 Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 913