Do You Love Me?

When they had finished breakfast, 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.”  He then said to him a second time, “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 distressed that he had said to him a 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.     Amen, amen, I say to you,  when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
-- John 21:15-18

Father Larry -- http://www.thereasonforourhope.org/meet_father/listen.php?id=839

In Mass a couple of Sundays past, we heard the above Gospel read. In my parish, like many the homely centered around the reading (NOTE: the reading was John 21:1-19; I focused on the final couple of verses). I was very moved by Father Healy (http://www.robertbellarmine.org/Staff/Staff.htm), and wanted to post a little something on this. My initial want was solidified by listening to Father Larry, also addressing the reading in his homely.

How much do we love Him? Do we honestly and sincerely give it all to him or do we keep things from him. That little sin, that time where we declare "US" time? How on earth do we expect our heavenly Father to treat us anywhere differently than any extremely disobedient or arrant child? Reminds me of my favorite Brad Paisley song. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyEnFtPDx-g)

I'm as guilty as the rest of us. As long as it isn't broken we tend to not pay attention. Not just our relationship with Him but our other ones as well. So the next time you have a minute, thank your heavenly Father that things are going so well that you nearly forget to say thanks. That simple act will make those times of hardship easier to get through as well as talk through.

Don't be a stranger, talk to your Father.