As the Easter season comes to a close, we return to a moment of deep tenderness between Jesus and Peter. Three times Jesus asks, “Do you love me?”—a mirror to Peter’s three denials. But rather than rebuke, Jesus offers restoration.

Fr. Sam reflects on the layers of love revealed in their exchange, from divine, unconditional love to the honest offering of friendship. Even when Peter can’t yet love as fully as Jesus asks, Jesus doesn’t withdraw the mission. He says, “Feed my sheep.”

This episode is a moving reminder that Jesus meets us in our imperfect love, entrusts us with His work, and patiently increases our capacity to love as He does.