Lectio Divina: 3rd Sunday of Easter

“Do you love me?” — John 21:16

REFLECTION

While reading this Gospel, I was struck by two phrases: “Do you love me?” and “Follow me.” There is definitely a progression to these two phrases spoken by Christ. The first phrase, a question that pierces the heart, was spoken toward Peter. However, we can examine our own hearts with this very question: do we love Jesus? Do I — as an individual — love Him?

This question reminds me of a quote that is attributed to Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ: 

“Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

Who (and what) we love will influence how we think, speak, and act. They will influence how we spend our free time and the direction of our lives. This can be either a good thing or a bad thing. If we love Jesus, and I mean really love Him, then this love would also drive us to action. The love that Jesus calls us to inspires us to love in both word and deed. However, it will come with a challenge.

If we find ourselves in love with Jesus and His Church, we will be also called to follow Him. This is a call presented to every baptized person, but it is a daily call for those who want to follow Him more intensely as a disciple. Are you ready for your love of God to flow into action?

QUESTIONS 

1. Do I recognize that the Lord is working in my life, even when I don’t realize it?
2. Do I love Jesus?
3. If I believe that I do love Jesus, do I act like it?
4. Do others know that I love Jesus?
5. Am I following Christ? If not, how can I start fresh today?