My brothers and sisters, what an elusive word, love can be. Just think about how easy it is to blurt it out unconsciously. And on other serious occasions when the word is introduced into a conversation, the level of uneasiness or awkwardness it brings forth. Think about it, we can throw any superficial topic on the table like donuts, songs or movies and the word love will so easily surface. I love Krispy Kreme doughnuts, I love R2-D2, oh my goodness I love this song – you get the point. But are we really speaking of love?
Another example: picture a young high school couple who has been spending a lot of time together and on one night while out on a dinner date, the one looks seriously into the eyes of the other and says, “I love you” and the reaction from the recipient is a nervous flushing of the face, rapid heartbeat and a racing mind trying to formulate a proper response.
But why? Has this not been “Your Person” – as they say today – with whom you wanted to spend all your waking hours and the object of all your daily thoughts? Kind of interesting how we humans can be so unfocused, especially when it comes to the word and concept of love.
Maybe we would be better off if we challenged folks to be more precise when using terms. The Greek and the Latin speaking world didn’t have such confusion because they had many love words. Words that carried a specific focus or aim on their own like eros, philia, agape, storge, mania, and pragma. The precision of these words puts all things in right order and denoted whether one has a playful affinity for the cute beeping droid or if one was seconds away from being relegated to the “Friend Zone”.
Unconditional Love
Now this brings us to today’s scripture readings. We find in the Gospel our Lord asking Saint Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Saint Peter responding “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
And we also see the Lord asking this question three times. And on the third time Saint Peter is a bit flustered for being asked a third time. The Lord is getting to the precision of the word love in his question.
As a side note, numbers have significance as well here. Think in the terms of superlatives (good, better, best; 1, 10, 100). Or, for example, when the Lord says Amen, Amen, I say to you (John 6:53) rather than just using one Amen. An emphasis is being placed on the comment or question and should raise our attention to the content.
Okay, back to the reading. Our Lord is moving Saint Peter from just a mediocre follower who only liked Jesus as a friend (willing to deny Christ for fear of death or punishment) to a dedicated follower attached to the Lord at any cost.
This is that specific love called Agape in Greek and Caritas in Latin. That sacrificial, unconditional love where one is willing to sacrifice themselves for another without expecting anything in return. Even for a stranger. This is the true LOVE our Lord is calling us to for Himself. And for humanity. And the love He was preparing Saint Peter to have for the Church.
Finally turning to the first reading of the day, we see Saint Paul carrying on that Christian tradition of putting his life on the line to preach the Good News of Jesus the Christ even if it means being judged by the rulers of this world. (Acts 25:21).
May your life reflect the unconditional love that proclaims, “The Lord has established His throne in heaven.” (Ps. 103) Amen.
