I will love you, O Lord my strength,

   my stony rock and my defence,

   my saviour, my one desire and love.

My God, my helper, I will love you

   with all the power  you have given me;

   not as much as you deserve to be loved,

   for that can never be,

   but as much as I am able to.

Whatever I do, I never can discharge my debt to you,

   and I can love you

   only according to the power that you have given me.

The more power to love you give me,

   the more I will love you;

   yet never, never, can I love you

   as much as you should be loved.

Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153, 1090-1153, French abbot and Cistercian mystic

___________________

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time.
He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.