In the name of the one living
God who dwells among us. Amen.
You may know this is school
vacation week for me—for Norwalk and the surrounding area—so, because Beth and
Heather are in Florida for the week… I have the house to myself, I can sleep
late, cook whatever breakfast I want, and maybe… I’ll go fishing. Yes, that’s the ticket, I am going fishing…
perhaps six of you would like to go with me. (If we
turned this boat upside down, we could all go…) How about a swing around Long Island Sound
for a fishing trip? And, oh, the fishing stories we could tell—even
if we don’t catch much. Well, this
presents a problem for me, since 1) I don’t often fish; and 2) Beth says someone has to stay home and stay home and take
care of the dogs.
In all seriousness,
today’s gospel has often peaked my interest as I struggle to understand the jam
packed meaning of it all; and a friend reminded me the other day, that the
preceding chapter (in the Gospel of John) tells us the reason for this book is
to illustrate the deity of Jesus. That
Jesus is God. God in the flesh. God among us.
I wonder what it was
like, after all they seen at the crucifixion, for the disciples to realize it was Jesus; and that he was, in fact, alive. Jesus appeared in human form, to help the
disciples (as this story now helps us)
understand that he was resurrected and was truly in the flesh, as he
cooked them breakfast on the beach.
You see, after the
crucifixion, by that time the disciples had returned to Galilee as Jesus had
instructed. (Matt 28:7, 10; and Mark 16:7)
So, what did they do when they returned?
They went back to work; they were fisherman. Perhaps they returned to care for their
families and work while they waited. So
they were fishing without much success… and, as he so often does, Jesus
appeared out of nowhere, and suggested they try the other side of the boat;
encouraging the, to do things differently.
When they followed his instruction, they found success. So much so that the net was full to
overflowing, yet it did not break.
Early in the Gospel of
Luke (5:1-11) Jesus told Peter that they would no longer fish for fish… Jesus
called Peter and his friends to follow him… they would fish for people. Their call was, as is ours, to go out into
the world—at work, at school, on the soccer field, at the boat dock or golf
club, and in the marketplace—and to share the good news that Jesus Christ is
risen! Risen today… risen yesterday, and
tomorrow. Jesus dwells among us in the
flesh. We need only look for him.
It is interesting to me that
in this fishing story, his third appearance to the disciples … and seventh
overall, Jesus called Peter again to
follow him (even to Peter’s eventual death, as he stretched out his hands, on
the cross, as a martyr—and found eternal life), yet not before Jesus asked
Peter three times if he loved him.
Perhaps, at the time, recalling his own thrice denial of Jesus, Peter
became upset.
Jesus
said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He
said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my
lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He
said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my
sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “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.
The
call was for Peter then, as it is today for us, to tend His flock. We
are called to set down our nets and fish for people. To tend and feed—to provide nourishment for—the
lambs and sheep… the young and the not so young… those without sight and those
blinded by fear and hate… the sick, the broken, and lost… the ones who share
our individual shades of wool… and those who don’t. Our calling to tell the story of a
resurrected Christ—one in the flesh—cannot wait any longer.
I assure you… our net will
not break! There is always room for
more… because there’s a place for everyone here.
I will
close with the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby: “The church
has a calling that we have to follow. If we respond as a holy people, we will
see the renewal of the life of the churches of this land, and indeed around the
world, in this generation. We will be the antidote to fear, the healers of
abuse, the reconcilers of nations, the friends of the poor, the rescuers of the
persecuted, the imprisoned and the hopeless. Our task is clear: to witness that
Jesus Christ, risen and alive, is our saviour and offers salvation to all. Our
resources are infinite, the deep-cutting, powerfully loving work of the Holy
Spirit. Our hope is certain, eternal life.”
Amen.
Donald Field Burr, II
Christ Episcopal Church,
East Norwalk CT
The Third Sunday of
Easter
4.10.2016
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