Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter replies him three times, “You know Lord, I love you.” Commentators say in Greek Jesus uses the word for love agape two times and the word phileo the third time. Peter responds to Jesus three times with the word for love phileo. Agape, generally translated as charity is self-sacrificing love that seeks only what is best for the other and lacks self-interest. Phileo is used for the bond of friendship, a sense of loyalty in people who care about each other (Murray Watson). Having failed in his promise to love Jesus better than others Peter cautiously offers now only what he is weakly capable of doing (John 21:15-19). So Jesus condescends to his level of his offer and accepts it. Eventually, he will convert his simple promise to self-sacrificing love by enabling him to die for his faith on the cross upside down in all humility. Love of God is not something we can promise to God ourselves. If we honestly promise the best we think we are able, Jesus will raise it to will only what is best for the other without any personal agenda. Perfect giving and perfect receiving exist in the Holy Trinity. God will help us experience that which we are not capable of experiencing on our own in our human relationships.
Fr. Loyola, good luck with your new website.