EASTER III
May 1, 2022
“Jesus, Lord of the Everyday”
The Gospel of John draws to a close with an account of Jesus interacting with his disciples, once again in the most common, everyday circumstances. As Chapter 21 begins, they were gathered by the Sea of Tiberias, where, apparently needing to do something, Peter decides to go fishing, and the others joined him. Their efforts were fruitless, and the nets remained empty, but then, as morning broke, Jesus was standing on the beach and spoke to them. When they acknowledged that they had no fish, he told them to cast the net to the other side of the boat, and just like that, there were so many fish they had to drag the overflowing net to shore.
Landing, they saw a fire with fish cooking and bread warming, and there was Jesus, inviting them to breakfast. Anyone who loves fishing can tell you that breakfast at water’s edge or being out in the boat at sunrise is absolutely the best possible way to start a day. That moment as the light breaks, the sky brightens, and the darkness of night fades away gives the sense of a fresh, new beginning of unknown opportunities. After a night of hard work, we can only imagine how delicious that freshly cooked food tasted in the cool light of morning. Again, our Lord comes to people in an everyday environment, connects with them as they go about ordinary tasks, and, knowing they are hungry, provides them with food.
As we envision the disciples finishing up their meal, perhaps relaxing a little, Jesus and Peter enter into a conversation that we might find surprising. For one thing, we’re well aware that in the early morning hours following Jesus’ arrest, Peter was identified as being one of his followers by three different people, which he angrily denied. As a rooster crowed to greet the morning, Peter remembered that Jesus had foretold his denials, and he collapsed into bitter weeping. (Luke 22:54-62)
However, there are no reprimands or recriminations, and Jesus gets to his point quickly. Three times he asks Peter if he loves him, and each time the reply is, “Yes, Lord.” Jesus then tells Peter to feed and tend his sheep. We have an abundance of threes, don’t we? Three denials, three questions, three answers, and three commands. We find symmetry and balance in this short exchange, but Jesus has more important concerns than making everything even out. When Jesus speaks of feeding and tending his sheep, it’s all very familiar to Peter, who has heard Jesus describe himself as the good shepherd who puts caring for his sheep above all else. Rather than simply being forgiven for his misdeeds, Peter is charged with the responsibility of caring for the Lord’s flock.
So here we are, 21st Century Christians, often times struggling, discouraged, and wondering if we’re getting anything right, and we learn that Christ was able to strengthen and enable this ordinary human so he could build and lead the church on earth. Peter was no longer a loser or a failure, but through the life, death and resurrection of Christ, he and every one of us are the forgiven and redeemed children of God.
Trusting that Jesus comes to us all, wherever we are,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers