Theme for the day - Call

Today we hear two stories about “call”.  We here Paul’s call to let go of all his fear and follow this Jesus he chased to Damascus. He understood the consequences of what Jesus taught more than just about anyone else then or since. His yes led him to be the great planter of Christianity among those he would once not even eat with. Amazing! His yes turns him into a very unpopular radical.

Peter too is called. We meet a very hesitant and resigned Peter in this resurrection story. This is the same Peter who leapt out of boats to walk to Jesus and who declared he would never deny Jesus. Now he responds to Jesus’ resurrection by going home and picking up his old life. Jesus rising has brought a very mixed bag of reactions. How could Jesus want anything more to do with him? He denied him three times! He fled the crucifixion! He was a failure. In response Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. Twice he asks if Peter loves him with “agape”, and Peter responds with “philos”, friendship. The third time Jesus asks “do you love me as a friend?” He meets Peter where Peter is. This is as far as Peter can go for now. Peter has learnt his lesson. But Jesus does promise/warn him that one day he will again love Jesus with everything (agape).

As we hear these stories I wonder where Jesus is meeting us as individuals and as a church. And where are we being invited to meet the risen Christ?