By the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples
When I used to be somewhat fitter, a while ago now, I enjoyed walking. One of the places really liked going to was some flooded gravel pits near where I lived. I would find somewhere to sit and soak up the sunshine. And I would watch the water-birds going about their day. I couldn’t tell you what kind of birds they were, just that they were feathered creatures that lived in, or near, water.
I enjoy sitting by water of any kind, rivers, lakes, gravel pits, or the sea. For me, it’s a great way to become aware of the presence of God, through the beauty of his created world. I nearly took up fishing, just so I would have an excuse to sit by the water for hours at a time, absorbing the peace of God which passes all understanding.
But that isn’t how it would’ve been for the disciples when they met with Jesus by the lakeside after that first Easter (John 21:1-19). Jesus, their dear friend and leader, the person they had invested all their hopes in, was dead. They would’ve been devastated, and probably went fishing because they didn’t know what else to do.
They were heading back to shore after a fruitless night’s work, when they saw a man standing watching them. As in so many of the resurrection stories, they didn’t recognize him straight away. He encouraged them to do something a little differently, shift their position so to speak. Perhaps they thought he could see something from his vantage point that they couldn’t. But, whatever, they followed his advice, and caught a huge net-full of fish. It was then that they realized who it was on the beach.
And when they finally hauled their catch to shore, Jesus welcomed them with a warm fire and breakfast cooking. That must’ve been quite a welcome for those disciples, cold and wet as they were.
One of the things that I find amazing about this story is that Jesus didn’t really mention the huge catch of fish. Apart from a few fish to add to what was cooking on the fire for them all to eat, nothing is said about them. They were a gift, for the disciples to do with as they would — no pre-conditions, no strings, nothing.
After breakfast, after they’d been given the gift of a huge catch of fish, and after they’d eaten together, Jesus asked Peter, three times, if he loved him. And renewed Peter’s calling, and through him the rest of the disciples’, and our calling too. Theirs, and our, calling to love and care for our fellow human beings.
Maybe when we truly recognize, and act on, that calling, we might be able to bring others to warm themselves in the fire of Jesus’ love.
Risen Christ,
by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples:
help your Church to obey your command
and draw the nations to the fire of your love,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.Additional Collect for The Sixth Sunday of Easter
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council
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