This season of Eastertide, up to Pentecost at the end of May, is the time we learn more about the beginnings of the Church and what it means to follow Jesus.
One of my favourite stories involves Jesus cooking up some fish for a breakfast bar-bque
on the shore of Galilee. A very intimate scene follows so many cosmic ones.
He reminds the disciples of one of his first miracles, throwing their nets on the other
side to catch fish. They had to change direction by listening to his voice and doing
what he suggests.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish
After breakfast, Peter is commissioned to lead the change.
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
We need to listen to his voice and be willing to change where and how we cast our nets as well.
Like fishing, ordinary activities continue to be the vehicle of Jesus’ real presence in the life of the world, the place where God calls us to be disciples and leads us to follow him, mistakes and all. We need to be faithful to what we already know and let the grace of God do the real work.
Besides fishing, Jesus often used the comparisons to raising crops and sheep to explain the spiritual kingdom of God and our place in it.
Discerning where God wants us to be means listening to Jesus’ voice and doing what he says as we go about our ordinary lives in ordinary ways. “Feed my sheep” if you love me, he says, an ordinary task for ordinary people, but with filled with supernatural grace and a loving kingdom mission.
‘April showers bring May flowers’, we said when I was little.
God is the gardener, and we must let the growth happen as God’s grace takes root. I’ve noticed plants grow rapidly in this area and get big, very fast.
I pray this area will equally grow rapidly in faith by grace as followers of Jesus.
Grace and peace,
Rev’d Kevin Highfield
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