Tag: feed my sheep

The Mandate To Serve

Today’s Reading : John Chapter 21

Throughout the gospels, John is the only gospel in our canon that is a eyewitness account of the life of Jesus Christ. The other gospels are inspiration of the Holy Spirit through the apostles. But John’s gospel is a first hand account about living and interacting with Jesus. Throughout the entire book John, John affirms the deity that Christ is and shows it throughout the entire book.  This last chapter is different from the other Gospels by the last scene of the book.  This chapter does not show Christ giving a proclamation to a large group. This last chapter does not show Christ ascending into heaven as his last act. This last chapter shows the compassion of Christ, the love of Christ, and the individual relationship with Christ.
In the beginning of this chapter Jesus redirect us from returning to our past lives.   In this chapter we see how after the resurrection and our relationship with Christ, we are tempted to re-create our past lives after we know him. In the beginning verses we see that Peter and the disciples go back to fishing as he had before Christ called him to be a disciple. Christ calls us not to go back to our old ways but to translate and transform our old skills into a better life into something to serve him better.
Jesus then proceed to prepare a breakfast on the beach. In 2003, I had a retreat in the Dominican Republic, where the priest gave us this passage to reflect on. The next morning at 5 o’clock in the morning, we actually met on the beach and had breakfast on the beach. It was one of the most serene and tranquil times in my life. I remember the stillness of it and the excitement of the day to come. Jesus sets up his breakfast for the disciples as a re-connection with them resurrection.
In the final passages of this chapter Jesus is talking with Peter in several different instances the last conversation that he has with Peter in this chapter is concerning Peter’s service to Christ. At the same time that Jesus and Peter are talking John is following. Peter asked Jesus “why is he following us”? Sometimes we can get distracted from being with Jesus with others around. Jesus is telling us to just focus on him and not to focus on others. Sometimes he will use us to help others on their journey, but if we are focusing on them, we will not continue our journey.
Some of the most intriguing parts of this chapter is the reconnecting and reaffirming Peter’s mission. In the earlier chapters, Peter was a faithful follower, but he had several times of betrayal and he was atoning for his transgressions. For quite some time, I would read this passage and only hear the same command: Feed my sheep.
But each time Jesus ask Peter if he loves him, he has a different response. Feed my lambs; Tend my sheep; Feed my sheep. Each of these is a different mission and a different service to perform. Feed my lambs: give the nourishment to the new comers of the faith. Treat them with compassion and love. These are the ones that need guidance to know and understand the Love of Christ. Tend my sheep: guide the followers that have been in the midst of the new covenant and help them grow and thrive into the followers that will bring others to Christ. Feed my sheep: Don’t neglect the followers that are mature and aged in the faith. Continue to give them nourishment and guidance so that they will be examples for the others.
I think that these words are essential to each of us today. I have fallen short many times in my journey and I take comfort that Christ is here for us to look to for guidance. This passage shows that no matter where we are in our journey, He has someone to help us. Take comfort in the preparation of others being ready to help you in any part of your journey. Also allow your light shine in all of your situations because you might the the guide that Christ has placed in their life.
Be blessed

Breakfast with Jesus

Today’s Reading: John 21
As I am reading and reflecting on the final Chapter of the gospels of the apostles, I am overwhelmed with the song “Just a closer walk with Thee”, which was one of my grandmother’s favorite song.  On March 30th she would have been 97 years young.  She went to glory in 2004 and I truly really miss that lady.  I can still remember how she spoke, her “grandmother” smell – Red Door or White Diamonds, and her love for me.  She was a true rock of my foundation as a person, a man, a father, and as a Christian.  She was a minster’s wife for over 50 years, in the life and death of my grandfather.  It is fitting that the last Chapter and the song complement each other.
While I was reviewing the 21st Chapter, I had a realization that this is the second time that this particular passage has been given to me to review.  My journey in this Christian life has taken me to different places and allowed me to interact with many different and amazing people.  In 2004,  I had the chance to give my summer to service in the Dominican Republic.  The people I served did not have running water or electricity.  They would not have a dollar to spend for health care or any wants or needs.  They were completely impoverished by any standards, but they were the warmest people that I have ever encountered.  Their lives reflected God’s grace and they shared that with me.  As I completed my mission, I had a special chance to do some spiritual reflections lead by Jesuit brother and he gave me this passage to read.
John 21:10-14
            Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.  Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.  Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.  This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
What made this reflection even more powerful was the way it was executed:  My friends and I met on the beach at sunrise(~ 5am in the morning) and had devotion there.  It was almost surreal, you are there on the beach looking out to the ocean and “having breakfast” with Jesus.
After many years, I am amazed to have this passage revealed to me again some profound reflections:
1.) When we have experienced the fullness of Christ, will we forget his awesomeness and return to what we had before. John 21:1-3
2.) Jesus calls us every morning (daily) to spend time with him and have breakfast.  A renewing of the body to prepare for the day and journey ahead. John 21:12
3.) Jesus is in the miracle business and will always be looking out for you no matter how far you think you have gone from him.  (153 fish is the sign of abundance.  Coincidentally this is the number of recorded miracles in all of the gospels.) John 21:6-11
4.) Sometime we should be reminded to do his work and to submit to God’s glory. Its gentle like a father and son with Saturday’s chores. John 21:15-18
5.) God has a purpose for each of us, but he has control and not you or I.  John 21:20-23
God, thank you for wanting to spend time with us daily.  Help us to be mindful of the time that you have given of to fulfill your mission here.  May we keep our focus on you and no other things that can distract us.  Amen