Let’s start this reflection with a little Latin, Omne Trium Perfectum, which loosely translates to things that occur in threes are perfect.

Over the centuries, probably without even knowing it, we have “perfected” this pattern. We have popular sayings like, “the third time is the charm,” books titled, “The Three Musketeers,” and fairy tales about the proverbial genie in the bottle who will grant you three wishes. Even the Constitution of the United States offers three benefits, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”  Good things do come in threes.

The number three is also prominent in religion. As Christians, we have the Holy Trinity – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Buddhism has the Triple Gem. There are the three pillars of Judaism and the Trimurti of the Hindu. And the Bible has many multiples of three – Jesus' ministry lasted three years; he was tempted three times by the devil; there were three crucified on Golgotha; and Christ rose again on the third day.

But what if three is the number of times Jesus asks someone essentially the same question, someone who months earlier had denied he even knew Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times over! And the thrice-repeated question is not, “Are you sure we are headed in the right direction?” No, this question goes to the very heart (no pun intended) of all questions, “Do you love me?” This is what Simon Peter faced in today’s Gospel.

So how would each of us answer the question, “Do you love me?” if Jesus asked it of us three times? Surely, we would all respond with a resounding yes, yes, yes! But actions speak louder than words. Do our actions provide the answer Jesus is seeking?

Demonstrating your love by living your faith is not always an easy undertaking. As Simon Peter showed, one can claim to be faithful but easily fail to live up to the promise. Thankfully, with God, there are second and third chances (and even more if necessary), to be the kind of person and live the type of life Christ asks of us.

As we discern what loving Jesus means to each of us, maybe the best way to for us to “lead his sheep” is to never forget the words Jesus shared with his disciples: And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.