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