“Lovest Thou Me?”: Peter Restored

After the resurrection, seven disciples are together by the Sea of Tiberias. Simon Peter says, “I go a fishing”; the others go with him, but that night they catch nothing. In the morning, Jesus stands on the shore, though they do not recognize him: “Children, have ye any meat?” At his word, they cast the net on the right side: it fills with a hundred and fifty-three large fish without breaking. “It is the Lord!” says the disciple whom Jesus loved, and Peter plunges into the sea. On the shore, a fire of coals awaits them, with fish and bread: “Come and dine.” After the meal, Jesus asks three times, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” Three times Peter answers, “Thou knowest that I love thee,” and three times Jesus entrusts his flock to him: “Feed my lambs . . . Feed my sheep.” Then: “Follow me.”