Feed My Lambs

At the end of John’s Gospel is a beautiful story that I would like to share with you. It takes place after the resurrection but before the final ascension of Jesus. There were periods of time when Jesus wasn’t with the disciples and there was probably a deep sense of uncertainty about what to do whenever he wasn’t there – as if something was missing. On one of these occasions, they were sitting along the shore of the Sea of Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee) just before dawn. Simon Peter, out of nowhere, suddenly declares that he is going fishing and off they go. Sounds like a modern boys’ day out – though I imagine the fishing equipment was a little different two thousand years ago.

Out they go, and it is one of those days when the fish just aren’t biting! A lone figure appears on the beach just as the sun comes up. Guess who? He calls out to them to cast the net on the other side of the boat and suddenly the nets are full of fish. At this point they realise it is Jesus and Peter leaps out of the boat and swims up while the rest row the boat, with the huge haul, back to the shore.

It is interesting that other Gospels have the same miracle of casting the net over the other side, but it appears at the start of their accounts as Jesus began to gather his followers to him at the beginning of his public ministry. Yet, whether at the start or the end, the meaning remains the same – a call to discipleship and the mission. These fishermen were to become fisher of men. As it was when they were with Jesus, so now they would continue the mission even after Jesus had returned to the Father. There is a wonderful cyclical element to this imagery – they would continue to find the extraordinary in the ordinary.

The story continues with a beach side breakfast with Jesus. We are told this is the third time they had seen him since the resurrection, and I love that Jesus says to them, “Come and have breakfast.” It reminds us that even in the seemingly mundane moments of our lives, those times we rush through, there is always the chance for an encounter if we can just slow down and realise what is in front of us. It may be the savouring of the meal, or an incidental conversation, or even a simple smile between each other. We often miss these in our busyness.

So, there they are, sitting with Jesus, laughing, talking and sharing a meal with one another – enjoying each other’s company and conversation. After the meal, Jesus turns to Simon Peter and says, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?”

Stop to think for a moment what would you do today if Jesus asked you, “Do you love me?” What would you respond? Remember that Simon is being asked in front of everyone whether he is the one who loves Jesus the most! He replies in the only way I think he could, “Yes Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus’ reply:

Feed my lambs.

Jesus asks again, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter gives the same response. Jesus says:

Look after my sheep.

A third time – “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was no doubt still heavily burdened by his betrayal of Jesus, and here he was being asked, not once, but three times whether he loved Jesus – one for each denial! Put yourself in his shoes. Every time your heart sinks further. How can I possibly convince him that I am truly sorry, that I am willing to do anything it takes to be back in his good graces? And why is he asking me to take up the leadership, the responsibility of looking after the flock, looking after all those who have realised that Jesus was the way, the truth and the life? How can I possibly be worthy of taking up this job? Surely there is others more fitting, like John or Andrew or…anyone!

This is what must have been in Peter’s heart as he burst into tears and he cried out, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.” And Jesus said:

Feed my sheep.

Peter was to take up the responsibility of the good shepherd for God’s people – our first Pope…and yet the message is true for all of us. It is in this passage that I realise that our love for God is directly linked to our care on this earth. The response to loving God every time is to take care of the vulnerable and needy – this is what we can do – this is the love thy neighbour part! It goes to say, therefore, that when we do this, when we show love and concern for each other on earth, we demonstrate our love for God as well.

We are all called to love – one another and God, and in the person of Jesus Christ, we had both. He calls us to love, to tend, to feed, to look after his flock. He trust that we will – that in loving him we have all the credentials we need to continue his mission on this earth – a mission of love. Not a fleeting or earthy love, but one which is assured and never-ending – a love with is declared and strengthened every time we tend to his flock. In that action is his love for us and our love for him! This is what you ask of Our Lady’s Assumption and all who work there to do for you and your children while they are in school – to be the good shepherd to them – to love, care for, guide them. Now the term is over, and with the holidays here, it is time for the sheep to come home – to green pastures and still waters of tranquillity, as Psalm 23 would say. It is time for these shepherds to rest and strengthen themselves in preparation to take up the shepherd’s staff once more for Term 4.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Dr Nathan Leber