"Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’  A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’ "
(Read John 21:15-19)

It is generally believed that Jesus’ questioning of Peter in this way was a reminder of the three times that Peter betrayed him.  Jesus was aware that Peter always loved him, even more so after his betrayal.  Why then, one wonders, does Jesus ask him this particular question?

Lord, I ponder on these words that you spoke to Peter and I believe that this was a lesson for all of us.  We betray you so often each day although we declare our undying love for you but you never hold that against us as long as we repent of our wrongdoing.  On the contrary, you call us into service and positions of responsibility in spite of our shortcomings.  This tells me that I must not be impatient with my own weaknesses and those of others; neither must I put down others because of their faults for you are the ever loving and forgiving God and for this I thank you. AMEN