When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. John 21:7
This Sunday is the third Sunday of Easter. We have traveled with Jesus to the crucifixion. We have read of his appearances with Thomas and the others following his resurrection. Today we find Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius. He's watching his friends fishing but having no luck. They don't recognize him at first, but John looks to the shore and now recognizes the Lord and proclaims it aloud. Simon Peter, in his excitement, dives into the water to get to his savior first. The seaside reunion has them talking over a meal of fish. Jesus then puts the question to Peter, "Do you love me?" Jesus asks this question to Peter three times. Peter, exasperated in the questioning replies each time, "Lord you know that I love you." Jesus instructs him to feed his lambs, and feed and tend his sheep. Then Jesus says, "follow me." But before follow me, he warns Peter that he may be lead places that he will not want to go.
If you saw the movie, Forrest Gump, you might remember the scene when Forrest leaps off of his boat into the water to see and encounter Lieutenant Dan. Dan was his friend who Forrest saved in the war and whom he loved. Peter does the same thing. He sees Jesus, and like Forrest, jumps into the water to see his Lord. He could have pulled in the anchor, turned the boat, set the sails and came ashore. No he couldn't wait. It was faster for him to swim. Is our faith like that? Do we put off our prayer time, our time with God to do other things, or do we run to him with excitement and hope that our Lord gives us? We should all pray for faith and love like that of Peter's, who would let nothing stop him from rushing to our Lord for another encounter. As we courageously live the gospel, may we have faith of John to proclaim, "it is the Lord!" and the faith of Peter to run to encounter him every day.
Question for Reflection
How do I keep my love and enthusiasm for Jesus?
Lord, give me the never-ending desire to always run to you in love, not for my wants but for yours!
