Dear Friends,
So here we are, entering the Third Week of Easter.
I so appreciate the gospel of John during this season, because he gives us insight into how to live “post-Easter.” I mean, we had an amazing Easter Vigil and Easter Day at Saint Miriam filled with beautiful music and décor (to say nothing of all the beautiful people who joined us to celebrate Resurrection!) Even more, we had the celebration of two baptisms and 6 receptions into full Communion! There was so much joy and new life!
But now, life settles in to “normal” again: We return to our daily routines, with our work to do, our bills to pay, and with all our personal, social, national and international challenges—which can many times seem overwhelming. So where is the joy of Easter now? What does Easter have to do with all of this? Does Easter just fade away as “reality” sets in?
This is where John’s gospel comes in. Last week, John told us the story of Thomas’ encounter with the Risen Lord after a period of doubt. John tells us it was “a week later.” In other words, he lets us know that as the weeks pass, some doubt can set in. Yet Jesus’ response to Thomas was a gift for us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus encourages us to keep trusting in Resurrection, keep trusting in the triumph of love over hate, life over death, even when the weeks of life go by and all seems “normal,” even when doubt sets in.
Then today, John tells us about Peter going back to work. As strange as it may seem to us, after the experience of the Resurrection, as the days went by, Peter (and the others) weren’t exactly sure what they were supposed to do. So Peter goes back to fishing. He is, as Barbara Brown Taylor puts it, “living in the meantime.” That is is, Peter and the other disciples go back to the old way of doing things. They don’t move forward. And so, they don’t catch any fish! Confusion sets in: they realize they can’t go back but they aren’t sure of the way forward.
And so, Jesus fixes up one delicious breakfast. He feeds them. He assures them of his presence. And then he very explicitly tells Peter the way forward: “Feed my sheep.”
Feed people! That’s Jesus message to Peter, to the other disciples and to us: FEED!
Live the resurrection by feeding people.
Yes, feed the physically hungry with food and drink. That is the loving thing to do. It is life giving.
Feed the sorrowful with a word of gesture of compassion and empathy.
Feed the confused with a word of guidance or with moral support in a moment of darkness.
Feed those who don’t feel like they fit in with a non-judgmental embrace and a sense of inclusion.
After all, when the disciples let Jesus direct their fishing, they take in a net with 153 fish—a symbolic way of saying he takes in an “ecumenical collection,” one that is inclusive and diverse.
Feed. Feed. Feed.
So, it’s the same for us. Sometimes we can feel like we’re living — “in the meantime”— a time when we are waiting for God’s next move. We can wonder what we are to do when we’re waiting for God’s next move. Well, today Jesus tells us loud and clear: Have some breakfast! Let Jesus feed you in the Eucharist with unconditional, healing, life-giving love. And then go FEED!
Because really there is no “in the meantime.” At every time, at every moment, the Risen Lord is feeding God’s creation by bringing healing where there are wounds, compassion where there is suffering, light where there is darkness, love where there is hate, and life where there is death. And right now, right here, wherever you are at this very moment, the Risen Christ is doing this in you. And he wants to do it through you to, for the life of the world.
Peace and every good,
Father Liam