3rd Sunday of Easter: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041413.cfm
Acts
5: 27-32
Rev. 5: 11-14
Jn 21: 1-19
in renewed youthfulness of spirit,
so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption,
we may look forward in confident hope
to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection.
(Collect - Roman Missal)
Rev. 5: 11-14
Jn 21: 1-19
This
3rd Sunday of our Easter journey presents a familiar invitation of
Jesus to his disciples and Simon Peter in particular: “Follow Me.” Put in
context of this resurrection story, it has a powerful significance. (Jn 21:
1-19).
It
seems Jesus repeats a miracle he had done early on with the fishermen/disciples
(Lk 5: 1-11). However, this time it is
the risen Lord who calls out to the disciples who have gone fishing after the
events of that tragic but good Friday and the alleged reports of his appearance
on that Sunday. An amazing drought of
fish are caught once again at the word of Jesus from the shore in the early
morning: “Cast the net . . . and you will find something” (Jn 21: 6). And
indeed, once again as at the beginning, they pull ashore an abundance of fish –
153 to be exact as John tells us.
On
the fateful Thursday last supper evening, Jesus shared a meal with his
disciples. One that we still remember
today in our celebration of the Eucharist.
Here on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius (Lake Galilee), he shares
another meal. Not in the darkness of
night but in the light of a new day. One
was the last supper – here is the first breakfast!
As
the risen Lord shared that breakfast as the early morning sun was rising, so
too is he present to us in the Holy Eucharist. As on the shore of the Sea, the
risen Lord breaks bread with us every time we celebrate.
As
the beautiful resurrection story continues, Jesus calls Peter to reconciliation. Three times, as Peter had denied Jesus three
times not long before, he asks: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” (Jn 21:
15 – 19). As Peter is reconciled to the Lord, three times redeems himself,
Jesus solidifies the position of Peter among the disciples – “Feed my
sheep/lambs.” Then simply invites him: “Follow Me.”
It
is profoundly different than the original invitation when he first encountered
these fishermen along the Sea at the beginning of his public ministry. There, they followed him to the cross; now
they follow him out to the world to be witnesses to his death and resurrection.
Such is also the journey of all who come to believe in the risen Lord.
For
the Christians of the early years, as they lived this new “way” of life, this
Gospel passage must have held a particular relevance. The boat of the disciples on the open sea was
a symbol of the church. The water Peter trudged
through to meet the Lord, a sign of baptism where we are plunged in and rise to
meet the light of a new life. The fish, all 153 of them, and the net could be a
reminder of how they too were caught in great numbers by the preaching and
witness of the Apostles. The fish, bread
and fire and the risen Lord who breaks bread and shares it, a sign of the holy
Eucharist, wherein Christ is alive and present to believers.
But,
in the end, it is the glow and presence of the risen Lord Jesus, now in the
light of a new day, that we are all called to follow.
In
that following, we too hear Jesus asking us, “Do you love me?” Pope Francis,
when Archbishop in 2007, spoke a great deal about reform when President of the
Latin American Bishop’s Conference. Many
think he hasn’t changed direction but now as Pope will be able to take those
same themes and expand them even more globally.
As
then Archbishop Bergoglio said, as we follow the Lord, we are sent out to be “missionary
disciples in communion.” The lay faithful in particular and clergy by
association are, “converted followers of Jesus, who together with others who
share Jesus’ life, faithfully seek to spread their joy, life and love to those
who have not yet come into that two-fold communion.”
In
short, it isn’t just about coming to Church and caring for those who believe as
I do. It is about, “a community of
believers trained and inspired to go out to transform politics, society,
education, neighborhoods, family and marriages.
It
is a brotherhood of Good Samaritans drawing near to neighbors with love and
mercy.”
In
light of such a challenge, it may be good for us to reflect on God’s call in
our own lives. Am I willing to follow the Lord and trust that he will lead
me? Our lives as priests are filled with
constant surprises. We never really know
what the day will be like – surprising and unpredictable for sure. We never know who will call or who or what
will pull us away from what we intended to accomplish that day. (A little like
raising children actually.) I’m always surprised by this. But, in the end I think Jesus’ invitation to
“follow me” is spoken in many ways through the events of our lives and the
people we meet. Certainly, in times of
prayer and reflection but it is often fleshed out in our human encounters.
Like
the disciples, we need to say from our boats: “It is the Lord!” May our Eucharistic assemblies always be a
force to compel us beyond our boats and our internal fishing that we may take
up the call to follow the Lord with truth and love.
“Lord,
help us to hear your call, to listen with attentive eyes and hearts, and to act
out of love for you.”
May
your people exult for ever, O God,in renewed youthfulness of spirit,
so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption,
we may look forward in confident hope
to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection.
(Collect - Roman Missal)
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