Feed My Sheep

There’s something to be said about routines. They keep our lives organized- easier to know what’s next and to get everything done when those tasks become part of a routine. Over the years, I’ve had multiple opportunities to change my routine- exercise and pray in the morning, get to bed at a reasonable time, prepare healthy meals instead of grabbing fast food and eating late. Some things have actually stuck- I walk most mornings at this point. Actually, it’s when my routine has to change that I have difficulty fitting it in. But with other changes, it’s so easy to fall back into the familiar- stay up late, not taking time to move in other parts of the day, grabbing an easy dinner at the end of a long day. Routines can become habits, and habits can be hard to break.

In this morning’s Gospel lesson, the disciples must be discouraged, confused, and lost. The crucifixion of Jesus had originally sent that clear signal to hide. But then Jesus was raised from the dead and came to see them. Twice. Now what do they do? They should go out and preach the good news, healing the sick and lame. That’s what Jesus told them to do- that he was sending them out. But what was the good news when everyone knew that Jesus of Nazareth was dead? How could they heal when Jesus was so far away? Who would believe them if they proclaimed that Jesus was alive and death had been overcome? What should they do next?

So, Peter suggested going back to the familiar. The time with Jesus seemed to be over. Time to make some money and get on with life. Time to be fishermen again. Because sometimes it’s just easier to go through the days by doing what we know. It’s easier to treat Monday through Saturday differently than our time at church. Easier to go through life as we always have. It can be hard to change our life when everything else is as it was before. 

The disciples are struggling as well. With Jesus no longer part of their everyday lives, they move on and return to what they have always done- fish. They spend all night trying to catch something. It’s time together, possibly time to reminisce. But it’s also hard work. By morning, they are tired and discouraged, with nothing to show for their labors: the nets are empty.

Then Jesus breaks through their routine. He comes and asks these tired, discouraged men to go back out and cast their nets one more time. They are exhausted, ready for breakfast, ready for a chance to rest after throwing the net out and hauling it back in. They do not even know that it is Jesus who is asking them to do this- to cast their nets yet again to the other side of the boat. No, they are fishermen, hard working and willing to try. And with that willingness to try again, Jesus breaks into their routine, and ultimately breaks the routine completely. 

Sometimes that’s how it works in our own lives. We hear a call out of the routine, and it turns into something that calls us to more. Somewhere in going on with daily life, Christ breaks through. Thunderstruck moments when we can tell the Spirit is at work. A conversation we never expected that keeps nagging at us to consider something new. A moment of spiritual presence when we finally listen to that still, small voice telling us to slow down and connect. A prayer said before we realize we’re praying. A sudden realization that something isn’t working anymore, or that maybe God is calling us in a new way. An idea that turns life around if we pursue it. 

For the disciples, this final call from everyday routine gave them the answer to the question of “What’s next?” Jesus asked Peter “Do you love me?” three times, in front of the other six disciples who were with him. It hurt Peter, just as Peter’s denial hurt Jesus, but these questions also answer the question of “What’s next?”. Jesus told Peter three times, in three slightly different ways, to take care of Christ’s sheep. There’s the answer. Take care of the people, which means spreading the good news again. It means healing the sick and lame and casting out demons. It means feeding the hungry and providing water for those without. It means welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting those in prison. That is what the disciples are supposed to do next. 

Just as Jesus tells Peter “Feed my sheep,” Jesus calls us to the same. Maybe it’s through literally feeding others. There are so many that work to feed the hungry in town, and we are lucky enough to be a small part of that. On March 22, we hosted a Community Meal here at the church, literally feeding those who came out. On April 19, we fed spirits with the joy of Easter through the Egg Hunt at Friendship Park, as well as some wonderful cookies that many of you provided. And the Mission Committee is working with SHOP ministry at Bream in Charleston to provide groceries at our next Community Meal, which we’re planning to do at Friendship Park.

We do this because we believe that Jesus is calling us just as he called Peter: Feed My Sheep. Sometimes, that means continuing our routine, like with our Annual Christmas Dinner which has served the community for thirty-five years. It’s okay to get into our routines- they keep us sane, they help us get things done. But other times it means letting go of something old, or doing something brand new. What might happen when we remain open and let Christ break into our lives and the routine- in our individual lives, as well as our life as a church family? Because when Christ breaks through that routine, our lives can be transformed. Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Amen.