Fish in net

iStock/Irenadragan

The Gospel for the Third Sunday of Easter offers us a deep insight into how much Peter loved Jesus, and how he would be called, in the future, to an even deeper love, witnessing with his life. This beautiful episode on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius should offer us an insight into how much more we are all called to love Jesus.

I have often pondered the age-old conversation starter, “If you could invite someone from history to breakfast, who would it be?” For many of us, it would be Jesus. Now, imagine Jesus inviting YOU to breakfast! That is what he did to the seven disciples in the fishing boat with Peter in this weekend’s Gospel. After the resurrection of Christ, overwhelmed by everything, Peter said to the others, “I am going fishing.” And they said to him, “We will go with you.” How many of us like them, when overwhelmed, retreat to something that distracts our weary minds? They went fishing, but as usual caught nothing that night. At dawn, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know it was him. He called to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some fish.” They cast into the deep and were not able to haul in all the fish. Recognizing the miracle, John said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Realizing what John said was true, Peter jumped into the sea and swam quickly to Jesus on the shore.

When they all arrived on shore, Jesus said, “Come and have breakfast.” He had prepared some fish and bread over an open fire. The breakfast with Jesus on the beach that day is a story of Peter’s repentance, but I prefer to see it as his restoration. Peter’s repeated answer “Yes, Lord!” to each of Christ’s three questions is a heartfelt declaration of love, not so much a confession of guilt, yet it does connect to Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus on Good Friday.

I am not a scholar, but I was taught that there are interesting uses of the word “love” in this weekend’s Gospel. In English, when Jesus asks Peter “Do you love me?” and Peter answers, “Yes, I love you,” it makes sense. But in Greek, what Peter replies does not exactly respond to the question Jesus is asking. Greek has several words to describe the various levels of love. There is Storgé, the kind of love you might have for a neighbor you share a conversation with from time to time. There is Eros, a sensual love, a love that draws a couple together and often leads to marriage. There is Philia, or friendship, a real and trusted companionship with a person with whom we share true and authentic interests. Finally, there is Agapé, which means generous, totally self-giving love, which we treasure and value, even when there is nothing to be gained for ourselves.

Let’s return to the Gospel: Jesus asks Peter, “Agapas me, Do you have agapé for me, do you love me enough to die for me?” As we remember from Good Friday, Peter has not lived up to this kind of love. He had denied Jesus three times to save his own neck. How is Peter to answer Jesus now? He answers, “Philo se. Yes, Lord, I love you as a good friend (but I was unable to risk my life for you last week).” Jesus asks him a second time, “Agapas me?” and again Peter answers at the level of friendship “Philo se.” Finally, unwilling to embarrass Peter, Jesus asks “Are you really my friend?” (phileis me?) And Peter answers “Lord, you know everything; you know that I am your friend.” In compassion and love, Jesus accepts Peter’s answer; even his friendship (philia) is good enough — for now.

Full and authentic agapé would come many years later for Peter when he would witness with his life for Jesus. He would be crucified, in the shadows of the Vatican Hill, by Emperor Nero. This ultimate sacrifice as a martyr would be the sign of Peter’s authentic agapé, shedding his blood and dying for his faith in, and love of, Christ.

Let us all, for the remainder of Easter, echo what St. Peter tacitly said at the Sea of Tiberius — “I love you, Lord; help my lack of love.”

Father Haugan is pastor of Holy Spirit in St. Paul.

Sunday, May 1
Third Sunday of Easter