The following is Fr. Chris’ Holy Hour Reflection on today’s Gospel, and on his brother’s current situation…

On my way to the hospital.

Yet again.

To see my brother in agony.

I think of all the times I’ve made this trip before.

All the fearful nights; all the depressing days.

And in the midst of my drive

I hear Jesus dare to ask me,

“Do you love me?”

The One who healed the sick,

The One who raised the dead,

Who gave sight to the blind,

And who has stood by

And watched my brother writhe in pain for years

Dares to ask,

“Do you love me?”

The cruelty!  The nerve!

Can it be possible?

Can someone bear to watch

A loved one suffer so

And look at the Face of God and say,

“Yes, I love you though”?

I know what I should answer;

I know what Peter said.

But it is hard after all these years to think

That I can love a God

So cold.

I finally arrive at the hospital

And walk into my brother’s room.

I see him distressed and afflicted,

Depressed by his sad state.

It is the same as always.

And yet as I look down,

Before he falls asleep,

Jesus looks up,

Distressed and afflicted yet again,

And asks from his hospital bed,

“Do you love me?”

And I, in all sincerity, 

Dare to reply,

“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”