The Incarnation is easier to remember in Advent or Christmas than the Easter season. It often seems far away from our daily lives. Even the word “incarnation” echoes of theological mystery contained in the head. But if it stayed there alone, we’d never be able to encounter the genuine relationship that Jesus hopes for with us.

In today’s Gospel, we see a fleshy Jesus—a Jesus among his friends. We see a Jesus who cooks and eats, a Jesus joining them in the monotony and joy of a meal. It’s in the fleshy, incarnational presence which he shows them love.

He teaches Peter this love with his questions and responses: “Do you love me?” Then, go and do. Jesus asks Peter not for the heady idea of love, but the messiness of tending and feeding sheep. It is in this incarnational encounter of the day-to- day that we love Jesus—and others.

—Colten Biro, S.J. is a Jesuit scholastic of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province; he is currently studying English at St. Louis University.