A Love that Transforms

"Feed My Sheep"
John 21:17

Last week, the Second Sunday in Easter, we began a discussion about the "open heart." We noticed how having an open heart changes everything in life: how we see ourselves, our neighbors, friends, even those we might term as enemies. An open heart may also transform our view of God and our own place in the universe. This transformation is what Sunday's scripture is all about.

John 21:1-19 is chronicles a resurrection appearance of Jesus to his disciples. This time, he shows himself to them on the lakeside. After an unsuccessful night of fishing, the disciples are rowing their way to shore when they see someone there waiting for them. This person tells them to cast their nets overboard and pull up a catch. They do so, Peter recognizes Jesus, and excited, dives into the water and swims to him. Jesus feeds everyone breakfast and then Peter and Jesus have a conversation.

As they talk, Jesus asks Peter three times, one right after the other, "Do you love me? . Three times Peter says yes, and three times Jesus responds to this "Yes" by saying "Feed My Sheep." This is a very curious conversation. You'd think one "Yes" would be enough to satisfy Jesus. But, Jesus keeps asking. In doing so he is asking Peter to move beyond mere intellectual assent, an off the cuff simple, "Lord you know I love you," into an a more embodied response, a response that will call Peter to give away the very love that he receives from the Risen Christ. Jesus is looking for a love that is not owned by Peter, but one that can be passed on through Peter. He is asking Peter to "mind his heart," leaving it open for love's work to be done.

Jesus brings this home to Peter when after the third exchange between them, Jesus says, in effect, "When you were young you went where you wanted to go. When you get older someone will bind you up and take you exactly where you do not want to go." As heart is opened, where love takes us is, in a way, none of our business - love knows the way. Jesus Christ is teaching Peter and all of us, that its not our will in this world but love's that will be done. You may remember the chant I share with you back in January and February:

God Guide us home
Christ make us one
Holy Spirit Flow
Love will be done

As we find our way home, our unity in Spirit, the boundaries that we come to know in life disappear, the Holy Spirit flows and love is done. And that love doesn't belong to Peter, or David or anyone else: it is the Universal Love of God embodied and made manifest through us. Love may take us where we don't want to go, but it really is OK -- for love's sake, for love's sake.

Blessings,