We find ourselves in Peter's position far more often than we'd like to admit: not knowing where we stand with Jesus. We find ourselves caught up in shame or sin and not knowing how to approach Jesus.

Yet, he says to us like he says to St. Peter the first time he meets him, "Do not be afraid." Do not be afraid of your shame. Do not be afraid of your sin. Our Lord's answer to shame is redemption. When he asks St. Peter is he loves Him, He is saying to him, "Peter, give me your shame, I'll take care of it. You can keep the love, and I'll increase it."

If we actually believe in a redeeming God, as our shame grows so does our desire for redemption. We see Peter's life transformed because the Lord asks him if he loves Him. He wants to do the same for us. Will we let Him?