Service

"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you fastened your own belt and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will fasten your belt for you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."  -John 21:15-19

This Gospel reading,  I believe, is a beautiful example of what it takes for true service in the Church. If we look at this passage closely in the Greek text, we can see that there are two kinds of love spoken about. The first two times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him, Jesus speaks of Agape love. Agape love being the highest form of love. Peter, however, because of everything that previously has happened with his betrayal of Christ, is hesitant to respond with that kind of love. Instead, he responds with Philia love, which is a devoted familial love. The last time that Jesus asks Peter, he asks him with Philia love and Peter responds in Philia love.

What is so beautiful about this Gospel reading is that Jesus meets Peter where he is at. He simply asks Peter if he loves him. Jesus doesn't ask Peter if he would be a great Pope and leader, teaching all truth without fault, guiding souls closer to Heaven without losing a single one. He simply asks, "Do you love me?" That's all that is required in service, true service in and of Church, love. It's not required that we perform miracles or do great works but rather that we love in all we do. It is in and through our movements of love that we truly follow Christ and that souls experience and witness Him, who first loved us!

Let us pray for the grace to simply love in all that we do, think, say, and pray!

Written by Alycia, Special Events Coordinator for the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm