Deep Questions around a Fireplace

If we have ever sat around a fireplace it generally is a good atmosphere for feeling relaxed and getting to asked deep discussions and sharing. Simon Peter had two such fireplace experiences within two weeks.

The first was on the night before Jesus was crucified after he was arrested. Simon Peter followed Jesus and stayed outside in the courtyard of the High priest while Jesus was being interrogated and insulted. There Peter was asked, (twice while warming himself around a fire) by three different people, the deep question “you are not also one of this man’s disciples?” to which three times he replied “I am not.” Away from Jesus and the other disciples he fell under fear and his human weakness and betrayed Jesus. This was the Fireplace of denial and betrayal.

 

The second is in today’s Gospel where Simon Peter was sitting around the charcoal fire which the risen Jesus had prepared for him and the 6 other disciples to have breakfast with him. That crackling fire must have been making Simon uncomfortable as it would have been reminding him of the fireplace of his denial and betrayal of Jesus.

 

Then Jesus broke the silence after breakfast with the deepest question to Peter saying “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”.” In the Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament, there are different words that are translated “love.” Agape is the kind of love that is perfect and pure; selfless and active, and unconditional and ready to sacrifice for good of the other.  There is also a lesser kind of love (phileo). It is described as “to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), that is, have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling).”

It is vital to keep these two Greek words in mind while noting their meaning and usage in this passage. Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love (agape) me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love (phileo) you." [How could Peter say, unequivocally, I love (agape) you, after he had so miserably failed him?] He said to him, "Tend My lambs." (16) He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love (agape) me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love (phileo) you." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." (17) He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love (phileo) me?" [Notice that the Lord changed the word from agape to phileo] Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love (phileo) me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; you know that I love (phileo) you." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep. [Peter was “grieved” not because Jesus asked him a third time, but because Jesus lowered the standard.] We can only imagine the heartbreak Peter was feeling. Before fear and isolation enveloped Peter during the crucifixion he would have boldly said, “Lord, how could you ask such a thing? Of course I love (agape) you!” But his actions showed how miserably he failed to agape the Lord. He even denied friendship (phileo) with the Lord! Now he is truly “grieved” (lupeo) as he comes face-to-face with the Lord and what he has done.1

The rest of this passage shows the compassion for, and continued confidence in, Peter that the Lord Jesus had. He told Peter that he was going to die for the Lord. What a wonderful piece of prophecy! Jesus was telling Peter that he was going to have faith great enough to be the kind of man he thought himself to be when he said, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You" (Matt. 26:35). We can only imagine the joy and relief that he felt! This was now the Fire place of Love, Mercy and Restoration.

What does this mean for you and me and especially are couples who renewed their Marriage Vows? It means that, even though we may have failed the Lord miserably in the past, it is never too late to experience his mercy and love. This example with St Peter who was given such a central role in the Church is a powerful reminder to us to keep coming back to Him with trust and repentance no matter how uncomfortable.

1.Fr. Timothy Matkin, Diocese of Fort Worth

Monsignor Shora Maree

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