Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.
“Looking Ahead” is a reflection on the Sunday readings, for the Third Sunday of Easter, by Father Perry.
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor | Looking Ahead
There are only two places in John’s Gospel where a “charcoal fire” appears.
One is in the courtyard where Peter denies Jesus three times –
“Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.”
The other time is at the shore where Peter and the disciples eat fish cooked on the “charcoal fire”; Peter professes three times that he loves the Lord —
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
This is not only a rehabilitation of Peter, but clearly these two stories are tied together. Typical of resurrection stories, the disciples first do not recognize the Lord; then, they do. Clearly, something has changed — even about his appearance since the resurrection.
But in these appearance stories, Jesus calls by name, or has a conversation, pulling his disciples or the women into a deeper “moment” in which they are able to recognize Jesus.
Thomas, Peter, John and the “others” even come to recognize him spiritually not just as Jesus, but as Lord —
“My Lord and my God!”
Jesus providing a meal is also a prominent detail, just a little while before at the Last Supper; and now he gives them something to eat — the meal and his death; the meal and his resurrection.
Jesus’ “feeds” his disciples — and not just with food for the body, but more importantly with food for the soul.
Just like at Emmaus, they know “him in the breaking of the bread.” They are overjoyed — “were not our hearts burning [within us]?”
Again, Jesus tells them to cast their nets; and they catch so many fish, yet, their nets do not break. They do and they will participate in the mission of Jesus. It will lead them to their death; and yet, the mission does not and will not break or fall apart.
In spite of errors and denials, and such a dismal inability to really “see,” Jesus leads his disciples forward to become the foundation of a community of believers.
In these resurrection stories we see a powerful new life infused into the disciples and the early community of believers.
Jesus has been raised up!
If mission and meal and recognition and professions of love and faith aren’t enough, this story puts the final stamp upon all that has happened here in just two words —
“Follow me!”
This is the Easter call. This is the disciple moment. This is the joy of the recently baptized.
Alleluia!
Quote of the week |
“We don’t see things as THEY are, we see things as WE are.” — Anais Nin (1903-1977).
