Do you love Me?

Today in the Gospel there is a wonderful exchange between Jesus and Peter.

Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.(John 21:15-19)

I love this Gospel and for a time last year I found myself repeating it as I approached the priest to receive Communion.  I would repeat Jesus’ question “Do you love me” and then just before taking communion I would say internally Yes, Lord I love you.  

I have read that Jesus never tires of hearing that we love him. Could it be that God gave us the ability to be parents so that we might know how He feels for us.  Just as I never tire of telling my littlest child I love you, I have found that as he gets older he has less and less interest in giving hugs and saying I love you to my husband and I.  He is now 5 and I can remember just a few short years ago when he would be so happy when I called him over for a hug.  I can see why Jesus loves the smallest children.  They relish in the love shown to them.  The longer they are in the world the more independent they become.  To hear your baby growing up still tell you without asking that they love you brings a smile to your heart.  How Jesus must wait for us to remember to tell Him the same thing.  

May this Gospel remind us how much Jesus needs to hear that we love him.  Even if we think he knows our hearts to vocalize it aloud or even internally must console His wounded heart.