The Sea of Galilee

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you."
"Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question: "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
"Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you."
"Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said.
A third time he asked me, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep."

I wonder how Peter must have felt when after having denied Jesus three times, he was asked this question by Jesus. He must have been guilt-ridden and filled with shame - to the point where he wept bitterly. But the question Jesus asks Peter isn't one filled with reproach, it assumes that God's love for Peter is already established and remains unwavering even in the midst of Peter's inconsistency. The ball's in Peter's court. Peter, do you love me?

Jesus take me to the Sea of Galilee and ask me what you asked Peter. In the midst of my inconsistency and self-condemnation and guilt and shame, i want to respond with these words: Jesus, oh Jesus, I love you. This is the cry of my heart, to love you more and more.