In John 21 we read about an important commission given to Peter. After the death of Jesus, Peter goes back to his former profession. Peter, who once straightway left his net to follow Jesus, goes back to fishing. But he could not find any catch and had to be guided by the risen Lord, who did not need their fish to cook a delicious meal for them. The fish was on the fire already. Then the question Do you love me more than these? comes piercing his heart, wrenching a willing submission. The word these may refer to the cooked fish or raw fish, all standing for those things that distract our focus on Jesus.

God wants to be our first love. He wants us to be clear about our priorities. If we wish to be His disciples, we need to be disciplined. Discipline is defined as the maturity to say no to certain things so that we can say yes to other important things. We need to love Him more than certain other things. What are these other things? It can be our personal goals, desire for acceptance, wealth, riches, relationships, love of glamour and honours.

Peter had to express his love for Jesus three times, before Jesus gave him the task of feeding His sheep. Only when God is convinced that our love for Him exceeds all other considerations, He will give us His assignments. Until such a time comes, what we do stems out of our self directed will and our partial love for God.

There was a paradigm shift in the life of Peter. Peter is called to be the Feeder. His role from being the one who was fed shifts to the one who feeds. The receiver can not be receiving all the time. He has to share his blessings.

During this Lenten season, we are called to examine our priorities. Do we love Him above all the other things which can easily hold a sway over our emotions?