A little boy one day approached his father who he knew, was well versed with the terms used in the Bible, with a doubt.

“Daddy,” asked the boy, “what is the meaning of Cherubim and Seraphim. We hear it so often in the Bible.”

The father, appreciating the Biblical curiosity of his child, after some thoughtful moments answered:

“Cherubim is a word which means “knowledge”

>> The word Seraphim stands for “flame”

It is commonly understood that Cherubims are angels that excel in knowledge of God…

… and the Seraphims are those who excel in Love for God.

“Ah,” answered the boy, “In that case, I wish and hope, that when I die, I will be a Seraphim!

>> I would prefer more to love God, than to know everything!”

Do we also desire to Love God…?

… more?

The Gospel of the Day is the encounter of Jesus with His chosen Disciple Peter…

… who “knew Jesus” a lot

… but was yet to “love Jesus completely!”

The incident presents St Peter grappling with his weaknesses in expressing his love for his Master…

… and Jesus, knowing very well the frailties of his chosen one, entrusting great responsibilities on him.

Jesus in His post-resurrection appearances to the Apostles, engages in a special one-to-one conversation with the Peter, the leader of the chosen ones…

It’s interesting to see the choice of the Lord for Peter as the leader of His chosen ones.

Peter was a fisherman by profession…

· Like the waves, his faith and trust in the Lord would also often waver…

· Like the winds blowing heavily, his zeal for the Lord would also often vacillate…

Yet, the Lord chooses him to be a “fisher of man” for His Kingdom…. expecting him…

… to be like the fish – finding life and vibrancy only by being in the waters of grace and mercy

… to be like the net – gathering up the children of God and keeping them together

… to be like the boat – not being stuck on the shores, but ready to launch into the deep waters of evangelization

Peter had undoubtedly a lot of interest and zeal in the Lord… and in His Mission.

Yet by nature, he tended to be more emotional… indecisive…fluttering

And this caused him to deny the Lord three times, during the passion of the Lord..

But the Lord, in His infinite mercy, restores the brokenness in the relationship, with His healing love.

Our lives too, so often, resembles that of Peter.

· We fluctuate in our commitments to the Lord…

· We easily break many of the resolutions made to the Lord…

· We very often go astray, despite having experienced much love from the Lord…

Yet, Jesus does not abandon us.

· Like the Shepherd, who comes after His lost sheep…

· Like a Potter, who re-moulds His work when dis-shaped…

· Like a Physician, who attends with patience for His ailing patient…

The Lord comes to us…

And with much hope puts forward the same question, that He asked Peter:

“Do You love Me?”

The Lord awaits an answer…

It will be easy to jump in and say “Yes, Lord, I do love you”.

But…

· Let our answer, not just be triggered by emotional feelings…

· Let our answer, not be simply impelled by a ritualistic custom…

Rather, from the depth of our inner-being…

… acknowledging our sinfulness and failures…

… realizing our weaknesses and shortcomings…

And yet….

… trusting in the goodness of the Lord…

… hopeful in the mercy of the Lord…

Let us, tell the Lord…

… “Yes, Lord, I love you!!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!