FOLLOW ME
May 1, 2022: A Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C
John 21:1-19
So much had happened after the Apostles lost their Lord and Master, and best friend. Nothing was the same anymore. In fact, everything seemed upside down and inside out. They had seen their beloved Jesus die and yet he had come to them and shared food with them. Where does a person go with all of this? Everything had changed – or had it? Who comes back from the grave? It was all so confusing.
There was one constant, though. Jesus had said he would be with them until the end of time and as the Apostles knew so well, Jesus’ word was rock-solid. They were trying to find their footing in a world where all they knew had been altered since the death of their friend. What to do next? They had been given a mission to go out to all the world and spread the Good News of Jesus. Where was solid ground in all this?!
Simon Peter had the answer. “I’m going fishing!” “Yes,” his friends cried! “We’ll go with you.” Finally, something that seemed normal. Finally, something they knew, something that didn’t plunge them into walking in the dark with only faith as a guide. So off they went into the boat, happy and content. But there the luck ended. A night of work brought nothing.
Day was dawning as they approached the shore, and who should be there but Jesus! “Have you caught anything?” he said. Their one-word answer said it all, “No.” “Cast your net over the right side and you will find something.” The catch was miraculous! So many fish, they had a hard time hauling it in.
So, Jesus made them breakfast of fresh-cooked fish and warm bread. It was like a mini-Last Supper. Jesus took the bread and fish and gave it to them. It was not so upside down after all. They were being led into deeper faith and love. The kind of love that sees Jesus in every person, event, place, not with their bodily eyes but with the eyes of faith.
There was still something else Jesus wanted to give them. “Peter, do you love me? Feed my lambs.” “As I have just served you in feeding you breakfast, you do likewise by feeding your sisters and brothers, by caring for their needs, serving them, loving them even when you feel like being grumpy and uncooperative. Feed them my love from your substance. Give of yourself. Let yourself be stretched for them. As I have done for you, you do for them.
“My gift for you is that when you give yourself to others because of me, you give me and receive me back. My presence is shared in love, and the earth, then, is full of the goodness of the Lord. Will you do this for me? Then, follow me, that where I am, you may be also.”