Sometimes forgiveness is easy but sometimes forgiveness can be difficult or even impossible. Jesus seems to find it easy to forgive while still taking seriously the offense. Peter’s offense is that he three times denied that he even knew Jesus. Jesus forgives Peter but he does not make this forgiveness easy or cheap by saying “don’t worry about it” or “it’s no big deal.” It is a “big deal,” he denied Jesus. Jesus leads Peter through a process of forgiveness and reconciliation. As we hear in today’s Gospel Jesus puts the tough question to Peter: “Do you love me?” Peter affirms each time his love for Jesus. Jesus takes Peter a step further by telling Peter to make concrete this love by showing love and pastoral concern for the children of God: “Tend my sheep.”
Jesus not only asks Peter, “Do you love me,” but “Do you love me more than these.” What does it mean to love Jesus more than these, to be a disciple? Jesus tells us elsewhere: “If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26). Jesus’ way must come before all, even family and our very self and our own way. Peter shows this love for Jesus by following him even to death. Today’s Gospel ends with the ominous words: “Jesus said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God” (John 21:19). Although Peter denied Jesus, he later became a faithful witness. Peter witnessed even unto death. A martyr is one witnesses to Jesus by following Jesus’ way. Let us strive today to witness to Jesus by showing his love and compassion to others and by striving to forgive others as God has forgiven us.