01 May SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2022
What verbs describe what Jesus does? At the start, he simply appears, showing himself in this way: while standing on the beach, he engages in two-way conversation. He asks a question, then makes a suggestion.
An invitation to breakfast soon follows that reads, “BYOF, bring your own fish”. The disciples comply, but are soon surprised by the host’s generosity. Baked bread and cooked fish are offered as Jesus appears for the third time since being raised from the dead.
Things have gone well so far. The disciples, that is, followers/students of Jesus have received good advice and a free meal. Jesus, the teacher/leader in order to be helpful, had to become familiar with their daily concerns and affairs. Concern for the daily affairs of students is what inspired me to start volunteering at the Halifax Youth Center.
I didn’t want to lead this year’s high school baccalaureate service based on what little I know of how families live, what they value, what they strive and ultimately wish for. A good teacher/leader needs to see the whole picture, a picture that sometimes can only develop by painting small sections at a time, matching colors to numbers.
Jesus leads his disciples as pastors hope to lead congregations and community members. To lead with the hope that personal goals will benefit the entire group. Pay-off will travel the route of all parties. Contracts signed afford opportunities none could gain as individuals. By joining a team, each player becomes part of a greater story. Anyone watching the NFL Draft, lol?
Jesus is the ultimate recruiter.
Jesus is the ultimate recruiter. He approaches disciples on their home turf. He understands the shared goals, the concerns of all knowing that when individuals benefit, the effects are far reaching. Though the disciples benefit first, they are not more important than everyone else. The overarching goal of recruiters is to make the entire community feel like winners.
There are primary and secondary objectives, but everyone is important. That’s why taking three hours of my workweek to volunteer at the youth center is important. My shift there is secondary to my responsibility to you. And my responsibility to you includes taking seriously what Jesus asks: that the job of hospitality and caretaking transfer from him to his first recruits.
“If you love me, feed my sheep, tend their needs. Herd and nurture them.” Who could benefit more from an attentive shepherd, a willing adult who cares enough to feed, tend, herd and nurture young people ages 10-18? After seeing dozens of faces, I know the names of only a few.
Jesus calls Simon by many names: his Hebrew name that describes whose son he is, Simon bar Jonah or John, and the nickname given to describe him as rock-solid, Petros, Peter or Cephas. Much like we use first, middle and last given names to get the attention of a child or spouse when something needs hearing, Jesus addresses Simon, whose name by itself means, “one who listens or hears.”
Right now, in your head, say your own first, middle and last name, then pause. Say it again and hear the voice of Jesus say, “Do you love me?” Pause. What is your reply? Let’s do it again. In your head, say your own first, middle and last name, then pause. Listen to the voice of Jesus say, “Do you love me?” Pause. What is your reply? One more time. In your head, say your first, middle and last name, then pause. Listen to the voice of Jesus say, “Do you love me?” What is your reply?
During seminary, I was asked to read this passage aloud during worship. In a very large campus chapel, everything seems imposing: the people, the structure, the sounds and the history of the land. Floors and columns go on forever and are constructed of marble. Massive chandeliers hang from above.
Solid brass stands tall or is fixed into place. Gilded wood or leading ornately trims details. Organ pipes cover the back wall. You know that the very ground beneath held the blood of confederate and union soldiers. Floor to ceiling windows bear images from scripture, religious and historical figures known for contributing to the past and present.
Such grandeur had little to no effect on me when the time came to relay the intimate exchange between Jesus and Simon Peter. In the midst of great expense and achievement, I was most captivated by the personal nature of Jesus’ encounter. He continues to speak with individuals, face to face, waiting for their reply, giving them his full attention.
From the pulpit lectern, I asked the question Jesus asked once, then twice. Emotion and energy swelled as I imagined it did when Jesus repeated himself, looking into Simon’s eyes. Could Simon then say anything other than, “Yes, Lord. You know me, through and through,”?
After asking the question a third time, I made the mistake of pausing. I let the words of Jesus penetrate my heart, not just flow from my mouth. My own ears heard him. I heard my names spoken. Like Simon, I knew a simple yes or no wouldn’t do.
What I could do was acknowledge that Jesus knows everything about me. I began to cry. Nothing freaks out the academic community more than a show of emotion. No one knew how to respond. They had to wait and they did.
Pretty soon, I’ll officiate another wedding. This gospel text got me thinking. Perhaps the thing to do when asking the couple to take vows is this: address each one using all their names. Do you, (first, middle and last name) take so and so, (first middle and last name) to be your husband or wife? Perhaps I’ll ask them to answer me three times in a row as Jesus did. How do you think that’ll go over?
By doing so, one not only gathers momentum, but solidifies an oath. Doing so reveals something not only to the one asking, but to the one answering. It allows the person being asked to come completely clean and open themselves up to inspection by Jesus himself.
Are you willing to give more than the short answer? Are you willing to hand over a search warrant signed by you rather than present simple proof? Would you invite Jesus to search your handbag, vehicle or entire house? That’s the kind of trusting relationship Jesus builds with his disciples.
With confidence in the one who asks, you could make that decision. Whether you have something to hide or not is irrelevant. Are you willing to disclose all for the sake of convincing Jesus that you withhold nothing?
How many of us got married knowing all there was to know about our spouse? How many of us would have gone through with the ceremony were we asked not once but three times whether we would love, honor and in some cases, obey the other person for better or worse, till death do us part?
In many ways, the terms of discipleship mirror the terms of marriage. We profess in faith to do what we’re not capable of doing without God’s help. Without God showing up, directing our efforts, inviting us into times of rest and relaxation, engaging us in conversation that require us to reflect on our values, we could never be transformed.
Jesus made this point to Simon: self-awareness comes before doing. Know how you feel before committing to serve. Be familiar with your own and other people’s daily and ultimate concerns. One cannot profess to love, honor and serve without understanding the overarching goal: that everyone will benefit from being known, from being fed, tended, nurtured and herded toward safety and well-being.
Every wedding ceremony follows the format of today’s gospel text. Vows contain more than the question, “Do you…?” The initial question sets a premise for follow up. If you do, then, “Will you…?” Once more, call to mind your first, middle and last name, then pause.
If the answer to Jesus saying, “Do you love me,” is “Yes.” How is that love demonstrated? Discipleship involves two aspects: teaching with love and following with love. That’s why I harp on relationship building, where we are known and loved. That’s the kind of relationship Jesus has with disciples and hopes they have with each other.
The final verse of today’s gospel reading is a tough one. Jesus speaks truth to life by saying, when you are young, you fasten your own belt and go where you wish. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands; someone will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.”
Everyday for months, I worked ten hours a day with a middle-aged man who suffered a stroke. We both worked very hard. Him learning to walk and perform activities of daily living, me to get him to wear a thick belt around his waist everytime he stood. He didn’t realize that the belt would allow me to direct his body in any direction necessary to ensure his safety. All he knew was that it was not a part of his wardrobe during any other time of life.
Why should he have to wear it when his pants and shorts stayed up without it? Why should he wear something that would allow someone else to control how far and fast he walked? Why should someone with the mind of a brilliant research scientist have a belt fashioned around him to take him to doctor’s appointments and other places he wished not to go? This man had been esteemed with accolades and paid well. Now he had to take orders from women without his degree of education or titles.
Like Peter, the belt indicated a way in which he would glorify God. Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Follow me.” To follow requires making the choice to do so, and being led by a belt tied around your waist. Everyday presents opportunities to glorify God by leading, following or being led. Pray to recognize which you may be asked to do. Let us pray.
Dear Lord, thank you for appearing time and time again. Help us do our work well and show up ready to receive your invitation. Provide the guidance, nurturing, tending and herding we need to thrive and shepherd others. Give us self-awareness and the ability to follow through on vows and discipleship. In your holy name we pray, Amen.