Homily on John 21:15–19: love is more powerful than Mistakes

Homily on John 21:15: 19: Mistakes can be there,  but love is more powerful than anything.

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

There was once a woman who made a mistake while weaving a cloth. A thread was pulled wrongly, leaving a small knot in the center. She felt sad, thinking the cloth was ruined. But instead of throwing it away, she began to stitch a small flower over the knot. That mistake became the most beautiful part of the design. Later, when someone praised her work, she smiled and said, “This flower is born from my error.”

In the Gospel, Peter had made a great mistake. He denied Jesus three times. He said, “I do not know him.” It was not a small sin – it was a deep wound. But what does Jesus do in today’s Gospel? He does not remind Peter of his mistake. He does not punish him. He asks only one thing – “Do you love me?”

Not once – three times. It matches the three times Peter had denied Him. But Jesus doesn’t say, “Why did you deny me?” or “Will you promise to be brave next time?” No – He simply asks, “Do you love me?”

That is the heart of God. He knows our sins. He knows our failures. But still He asks for love – because love is more powerful than any mistake. When Peter says, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you,” Jesus immediately gives him a mission: “Feed my sheep.” That means, “Take care of my people.”

This is the beauty of Christian life. Our past does not disqualify us from serving Jesus. In fact, sometimes those who have fallen deeply can love more deeply. Like the woman who wept at Jesus’ feet – or like Peter, whose love grew stronger after his fall.

In the Old Testament, King David also made serious mistakes. He committed sin, he broke God’s law. But when he repented with a sincere heart, God forgave him and continued to use him as a great king. His love did not die because of his sin.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta once said, “God does not ask us to be successful. He asks us to be faithful.” Even if we fall, what matters is that we rise again with love.

Peter’s story gives us hope. We too may have denied Jesus – maybe through our words, or our silence, or our actions. But Jesus doesn’t close the door. He comes to us and says, “Do you love me?” That is enough for Him.

Let us not stay in guilt. Let us answer Jesus with love – because love can cover even the deepest wounds.

Lord, may my love for You be stronger than all my failures.

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God Bless…