Thirdf Sunday of Easter, cycle C

John 21:1-19

The Gospel passage you just heard is sometimes referred to as the “second ending” of the gospel of John. If you remember last Sunday's gospel about Saint Thomas, that passage ended with the satement: “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” That certainly sounds like an ending. But then John starts up again with this story of Jesus' appearance on the shore of the lake. The story is peculiar, because it seems as though the disciples don't really know what to do – even though they have been sent forth and given the power to forgive sins. Yet Peter seems to be at loss, and decides to go fishing. So do the others. And when Jesus appears on the shore and is recognized, they all act like it's the first time they've seen him. Another interesting thing – Peter puts on his clothes before jumping into the water. Some writers see that as a symbol of death and re-birth, or of baptism. Others say that Peter did it out of modesty since he was working naked. But I like the idea that Peter thought he would try walking on water again, but this time it still didn't work.

But the section of this gospel that I think has a lot to do with us is the last part, the peculiar exchange between Peter and Jesus. What is really going on here? There have been scores of commentaries, all coming to different conclusions. Our Church, of course, sees this passage as one of the places where Peter is commissioned to lead the Church. Another, of course is when we hear Jesus say, “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.”

And other people have said that this passage with its three questions about love is the point at which Peter is forgiven for his three times denial of Jesus.

But John just finished telling us that he is writing so that you may believe. Gospel passages often mean several things at once, and I think this passage could be addressed to every Christian. First, notice that Jesus addresses Peter not by the nickname he gave him, but by his real name. And anyone who has been a kid knows that when a parent calls you by your given name, you better listen up. Jesus is being serious – this isn't just a casual breakfast on the beach.

The second thing to notice, but you and I can't because we don't do Greek, is that Jesus and Peter use different words for love. Jesus uses the word agape – self-sacrificing love – in the first two questions. In the third, he uses the word that means “brotherly love”. Peter always replies with the word meaning brotherly love. So if we tried to translate this into English, it might sound something like this: Do you love me enough to die for me? And Peter replies, “I love you like a brother!” Jesus tries again, and Peter can't use that word. And finally Jesus says, “Well, do you love me like a brother? And Peter in relief says, “You know everything, and I do love you like a brother.”

Isn't Peter speaking for most of us? I haven't been asked to die for Jesus, but I've failed in lesser ways to love Him. I can't get through a day without knowing I could have done better, I could have been a better disciple. Could I honestly answer, “Yes Lord, I love you enough to die for you?”

And I think Jesus' first two questions challenge us, but his third recognizes where we are, and we can react with relief as Peter did, knowing that Jesus sees that we love him imperfectly, but still accepts that love.

The third thing to notice is that after each question, Jesus gives Peter a task. Feeding lambs – a lamb doesn't wander off, it stays close to it's mother; but it needs to be fed. All of us are called to feed each other. No Christian should be comfortable knowing that there are people who are hungry or homeless, especially when they are right next door. Sheep on the other hand, wander off and that's why you need a shepherd, to round them up and bring them into the pasture. We can see if we look around that some Christians are called to be evangelists, proclaiming the gospel to others. That isn't just a call for the pope or the bishop; it's a call for every disciple, to call others into the fold. And finally, an even higher calling is to feed those sheep. This is an area where our church could use a little work. When people have experienced conversion, and often that happens to people who have been baptized and confirmed and have been going to mass every Sunday and say their prayers – yes, even they can be comverted – how do we nurture those people, what do we do to keep those fires burning? I think about the people I've helped through RCIA over the past many years, people who are now full grown members of the Church. How do we keep that going? How do we feed these sheep, so that the Church can thrive and grow and fulfill it's mission? Jesus died for us, and yet he trusts us to bring the fruits of his passion to other people.

The last thing to notice, I guess, is that Jesus promises something to Peter. He promises him that a time will come when he will go where he does not want to go . We've j ust seen where Peter does not want to go. Is Jesus saying, “Peter, you may not love me enough to die for me now, but someday you will”. Surely that would be a message I would accept with joy – that my love for Jesus will someday reach that point. And Jesus simply says, “Follow me”. As long as you keep your eyes focused on me, as long as you hear my words and try to obey, you'll be all right; you will come to love me as much as I love you.