In last Sunday’s Gospel reading (John 21:1-19), we continue to receive rich images and thoughtful words to guide us through this enlightening and joyful Easter season. Even though this narrative is a very familiar one to us, I invite you to reread it when you have a chance and spend some time picturing the full scene. So much is happening. The disciples went from what had been an uneventful time of fishing to another revealing occasion with Jesus. I contemplate seeing Jesus on the shore near the charcoal fire awaiting His friends in the boat, and I am moved by what must have been their excitement and anticipation at being close to the Lord again. The ordinary, simple act of their sharing a meal together became so much more.
The conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter is also captivating. We, like Simon Peter, want the Lord to know how much we love Him – more than any of our own words can express. I appreciate this exchange and hearing the three specific instructions Jesus gives Simon Peter: feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep. This is not only for Simon Peter’s ministry, but also for ours. And Jesus tells us to do these acts of love, compassion, and humility in His name and to share Him with everyone we encounter. These missions are both powerful and challenging yet encouraging and inviting, but what catches even more of my attention this time, are the last words Jesus tells Simon Peter – Follow me.
Here, the words refer more to what will be Simon Peter’s specific path of faith, but Jesus does mean them for us, too. The words, the idea, and the journey of following Jesus are not new to us, but I found taking a more specific look to be a helpful reminder. When we follow someone, we trust he or she knows the way. We trust the leadership, the knowledge, and the wisdom to know what is best, especially when we can’t see too far ahead ourselves. We are comforted that we are not alone. So, what does this say about Jesus’ call to us to follow Him? He asks us to follow Him when He washes the feet of the disciples, when He forgives those who forced Him on the cross, and when He seeks the lost sheep out of mercy and love. We, in our imperfection, have the willingness and desire to follow Jesus, reach for Him, and to share the life in Christ with others. To imagine Him just ahead of us leading the way is comforting and strengthening and keeps us moving in the right direction. He knows, and we know, that we will at times veer off the path He’s showing us, but He patiently waits for us to look for Him again and to follow.
In an earlier Gospel reading Jesus announced, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matt 4:19) (The actual version we heard this year was Luke 5:1-11). This Sunday as we celebrate ‘Good Shepherd Sunday,’ Jesus will remind us how loved we are and of our place with Him when he makes clear, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27) Let us pray that we embrace the bond we have with our Good Shepherd, and that in our excitement and anticipation of being close to Him, we follow where He leads us.
Journeying to Grace 