Few moments in Scripture are as personal and piercing as Jesus’ conversation with Peter after the Resurrection. On Father Simon Says, Fr. Richard Simon reflected on John 21 and the three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love Me?”

Peter, who had denied Christ three times before the Crucifixion, now stands before the risen Lord by the sea. Fr. Simon explains that the exchange carries a deeper meaning in the original Greek. Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him with agape — sacrificial, divine love. Peter responds instead with philia — brotherly affection.

Again and again, Jesus asks. Again and again, Peter admits the limits of his love.

Finally, Jesus lowers the question: “So you love Me like a brother?”

Fr. Simon calls this “the first confession of the first pope.” Peter does not pretend to love perfectly. He simply offers the love he has.

Yet Jesus still entrusts him with the mission to lead the Church.

That is the hope of the Gospel. Christ does not wait for perfect people before calling them. Instead, He teaches us to grow in holiness through trust, surrender, and perseverance.

Fr. Simon points to Jesus’ final words to Peter: “Follow Me.” Though Peter’s love was imperfect, Christ promised he would one day learn to love more deeply, even to the point of sacrifice.

The same invitation is extended to every Christian. God receives our imperfect love and patiently transforms it into something greater.

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