They are learning true love. The Easter season reminds us of true love in Peter.

Every person longs for love. Someone more, more insistently, more often, quietly, without words, with a request to love, to be loved. Love is the greatest blessing for man. That is why people long for love. Not only men long for love. God, who is love, desires to be loved by his creation – man. Everything God does is an expression of his love. All God expects is love. Even after man’s sin, God did not stop the loving man.

In his third appearance to the apostles, he asks Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these” (Jn 21:15)? Do these words seem meaningless? Unnecessary? Unnecessary? Why are these words addressed to Peter? What do we, and should, they remind people until the end of time? After the third answer of the apostle Peter in the presence of the other apostles, in which Peter confesses: “Lord, you know everything, you know well that I love you” (Jn 21:17), Jesus says to Peter: “Feed my sheep!” (Jn 21:17). Peter receives the commission of a shepherd who, for the sake of the salvation of the people, he is supposed to catch, not like fish, but to bring them to Christ. With these words, Jesus reminds Peter, and the apostles present that the mission of the shepherd, who does everything out of love for his brothers and sisters, service is inherent. The greatest commandment is the commandment of love. Love for God, our neighbor, and ourselves should be a daily thing, not only a duty but also a task. The Church must, and has and wants to – teach love. Thus, he fulfills the will of Christ. Love is the basis for following Christ and once obtaining eternal life. 

On the shores of the Lake of Gennesaret, in thought, where the Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter is located, a statue of the handing over of the Primacy to Peter is erected near this church. The apostle kneels before Jesus, with one hand timidly reaching for the staff that Jesus hands him and raising the other hand towards Christ. The whole position of Peter is very dynamic; on one side, Peter takes the lead, but on the other hand, he trembles and imploringly raises his other hand to Christ as if to indicate his request for help. This statue reminds us of the Pope’s mission today as the successor of the Apostle Peter and the representative of Jesus Christ. Love for God is the first step to human happiness. Peter from the Gospel is an example. He betrayed but came back. Genuine regret for personal and common sins and tears of repentance help us to be forgiven by God and people. Praying for each other helps strengthen the love between us. Here is a call for husbands and wives to pray together, to pray for each other. Families must pray together. It should go without saying that children pray for their parents and parents for their children. Prayer for neighbors, co-workers, and siblings… helps to build friendship and love between people. Jesus also asks us, like Peter: “Do you love me?” (Jn 21:17) – I DO.