Agape & Phillia

Shalom to my dear sisters and brothers. Today is the 3rd Easter Sunday. The Gospel for today is,

After this Jesus revealed himself to the disciples by the lake of Tiberias. He appeared to them in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas who was called the Twin, Nathanael of Cna in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two other diciples were together; and Simon Peter said to them, "I'm going fishing." They replied, " We will come with you" and they went out and got into the boat. But they caught nothing that night. When day had already broken, Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus called them," Have you anything to eat?" They answered, "Nothing." Then he said to them, " Throw the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When thay had lowerd the net, they were not able to pull it in because of the great number of fish. Then the dicisple Jesus loved said to Peter,"It's Lord!" At these words,"It's Lord," Simon Peter put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and jumped into water. The other disciples came in the boat dragging the net full of fish, they were not far from land, about a hundred meters. When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some fish you've just caught." Simon Peter climbed into the boat and pulled the net to shore. It was full of big fish-one hundred and fifty-three-but, in spite of this, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them," Come and have breakfast," and not one of the disciples dared to ask him,"Who are you?" for they know it was Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and give it to them, and he did the same with the fish. This was the third time Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after rising form the dead. After they had finished breakfast, Jeus saif to Simon Peter," Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He answered," Yes,Lord,you know that I love you." And Jesus said,"Feed my lambs." A second time Jesus said to him," Simon, son of John, do you love me? And Peter answered," Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jeus said to jim, "Look after my sheep." And a third time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was saddened because Jesus asked him the third time, " Do you love me?" and he said," Lord,you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus then said," Feed my sheep. Truly, I said to you, when you are young you put your belt and walked where you liked. But when you grow old, you will stretch your hands and another will put a belt on you and lead you where you does not wish to go." Jesus said this to make known the kind of death by which Peter was to glorify God. And he added," Follow me."

After listened to this gospel,I was wondering why Jesus had to ask Simon Peter the same question for three times? Was Simon Peter not paying attention during the conversation and simply, he just gave Jesus an answer. It is always not that easy to get the full meaning by looking at the scripture superfcially and I was amazed when the priest explained it to us by linking back to the terms used in Hebrews. The first two times, Jesus asked Peter, John(the author) used “agape” in Jesus’ question and “philos” in Peter’s answer. During the third time, Jesus used “philos” and Peter uses “phillia.” This question was repeated again but Peter got annoyed when he was asked by Jesus "do you love(filial) me?" at the third time. And he said," Lord,you know everything; you know that I love you." Peter had grown up in faith. He became more humble and mature. When the time came, he died a matyr's death in Rome in the year 66 or 67. From here, we can see that Jesus accept the love that we offer despite its level.

Analogically, if a dog is well treated by its owner, it'll think:"the owner treats me so good as he feeds me.He is my owner.He must be my God.". If a cat is well treated by its owner, it'll think :"oh, I must be his God." Note the difference?The love of a dog to his owner is "phillia",is the love of admiration and friendship; whereas the love from God to us is "agape",love that requires sacrifices.

Let us pray to the God that He may accept our love and lack of love.