“Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (John 21: 15-18)
Today’s word: Continuance!
For those keeping track, today is the 15th Day of the Easter Season, and we are CONTINUING our Easter journey reflecting on 50 Ways to not only get through it all, but also celebrate the life given to us by God!
The Gospel for this Sunday is John’s witness of the disciples fishing. This is different than the other Gospel accounts in that it takes place after Jesus’ resurrection. It’s almost like the disciples have resigned to the fact that they must go back to work, for the “show is over”, and Jesus is gone, leaving them to make some sense of everything. Jesus reveals himself to them, asking them to throw their nets for a big catch. In seeing Him, Peter jumps into the water (very baptismal, don’t ya’ think?) and swims to the shore! This is where the journey ahead is laid out before them in one simple question, and three different answers. “Peter (or insert YOUR NAME here), do you love me?” Most of us would respond similarly to Peter by saying, “Of course, you know I love you Lord!” Jesus’ answer is, “then feed my lambs... tend my sheep... feed my sheep!”
The challenge before us today is that our Easter journey includes some very specific tasks, with a very uncertain outcome. I believe we are all called to CONTINUE TEACHING, feeding the little lambs with knowledge, and love and hope for the their future. I believe we are called to CONTINUE LISTENING, tending the sheep, working with our peers by walking together and offering support along the way. I believe we are called to CONTINUE SERVING, feeding the older sheep and concentrating on helping the needy! I believe, like the quote from John outlines, that someday you and I will be called to CONTINUE on our path, and be taken to a place where “we may not want to go”. In those times, the teaching, and the listening, and the serving, will come back to us, for the one’s that we’ve shared the love of Christ with, will in turn share that love with us!
Today it’s about CONTINUING this journey that we’ve all started. It’s about moving forward, and doing the work of the one who sent us. It’s about trust, and courage!
“Don’t Give Up” by Peter Gabriel
(See this alternate version)
Don't give up
'cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not the only one
Don't give up
No reason to be ashamed
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up now
We're proud of who you are
Don't give up
You know it's never been easy
Don't give up
'cause I believe there's the a place...
There's a place where we belong
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