Jesus Calling

Today we hear two stories about “call”.  We hear 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. His eyes are opened in so many ways. His yes turns him into a very unpopular radical.

Peter too is called although we often miss that. Around a charcoal fire he had denied his call to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus. While Jesus’ resurrection was amazing, it changed nothing. His call was still denied. So with no way forward he went home back to life as it was. And even that bore no fruit, or fish. In the darkness of his despair and lostness Jesus meets him around another charcoal fire. Three times Jesus invites to be his disciple – “feed my sheep”. Peter is invited to be God’s agent of change, to live as Jesus had lived – washing feet, living love, sharing justice with food for all symbolised with this meal of bread and fish – honouring all who ate.

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 live the risen Christ?