Beautiful Sarah. A detail of this story that has impressed me recently is that it was around a charcoal fire in the courtyard that Peter denied Jesus and it was around a charcoal fire on the beach that he was reinstated. Imagine the sensory impact...the smoke and smell. Maybe Peter's memory (tied so much to smell) needed that redemptive moment on the beach in the early morning - just as much as the rest of him needed it. If the night time betrayal was a trauma for Peter, maybe this was a 5-senses, body & spirit, whole person morning healing of that rupture.
Beautiful. I love this story too. And, I chuckled at the "of course he did" of Peter diving in. In my mind, he's the go big or go home of the group, and thank God for them in our lives. I visited the Sea of Galilee in 2010, and we visited this place that could have been the place of the breakfast. And one of the things that sticks with me from this place is also the humanity of it, of Jesus, of his friends. How thrilled they are because he is their friend - their beloved friend. And thinking of that, it also reminds me how very human they (Jesus's followers) all were -- which allows me, a very run of the mill human, have a new way of seeing myself in a relationship with Jesus/with God. Thanks for this reminder today.
I agree that some scripture has to be lived to be understood. I used to hate Ecclesiastes. Now as a 54 year old, it makes so much sense. More sense than 25 year old me could have ever understood.
I love stories about Peter. I identify with him so much. I have made bold proclamations and broken my own heart so many times. So grateful Jesus always meets me again with good coffee and love.
I once heard a sermon by a priest about this and I was just a puddle of tears. Having done my own denying, my heart was very broken. It was a big milestone in my healing journey and your post is a reminder of that. Thank you! 💗
Thank you, Sarah, for reminding me why this is one of my favorite Jesus stories, too. Instead of meeting Peter with judgement or scolding, he meets Peter with breakfast. He offers me breakfast in the face of my failures, too. And I ask myself the question , who can I serve breakfast today? Who needs my love, nurturing, and nourishment? Grateful for your ministry. ❤️
This has always been a favorite passage (story) of mine. I hear Peter's subtext--when he sees Jesus..."Yes, there he is just like usual"and with the same impetuosity that sent him walking on water earlier, or saying, "Wash all of me!" he jumps in the water. And has breakfast like many times before, and then reality sets in. Jesus is not the same--but then, neither is Peter. Too much has happened. I can feel Peter's guilt when Jesus asks, "Peter, do you Love me?" the desperate need to show Jesus that he does love him--that he always has and always will. Forget all that happened before. Then as Jesus says, "Feed my Lambs", I can hear Peter thinking--"Lambs? I 'm not a shepherd, I'm a fisherman." I can hear Peter thinking, "Are you demoting me because I screwed up?" And then, finally the third time, Peter may have realized the connection to his rejection of Jesus. How amazing, Jesus forgives him three times--once for each denial. I wonder if Peter bows his head in shame, or looks upward and reaches out his hands ready to embrace.
Jesus forgives us the same way. Jesus asks of Peter that he take on the care and feeding of the flock of new Christians--the lambs, just as we are asked to take on the care of our parishes, neighborhoods, and communities. Take on their care in a statement of "Yes Lord, you know I love you!>"
Thank you Sarah for giving me a tender heart this morning. You noticed this so well, three affirmations for three denials. Meditating upon the passage, I always put myself in Peter's place. With each succeeding "Do you love me?", my heart aches each time and this time as always I am almost in tears thinking "Yes, yes, I do love you!" And despite my second guessing myself each time I'm asked, your hopeful conclusion inspired me today, "and then we just begin again."
Beautiful Sarah. A detail of this story that has impressed me recently is that it was around a charcoal fire in the courtyard that Peter denied Jesus and it was around a charcoal fire on the beach that he was reinstated. Imagine the sensory impact...the smoke and smell. Maybe Peter's memory (tied so much to smell) needed that redemptive moment on the beach in the early morning - just as much as the rest of him needed it. If the night time betrayal was a trauma for Peter, maybe this was a 5-senses, body & spirit, whole person morning healing of that rupture.
Yes, I knew about this detail as well. Very powerful.
What a beautiful way to acknowlege starting over: Good morning! Have some breakfast with me.
Beautiful. I love this story too. And, I chuckled at the "of course he did" of Peter diving in. In my mind, he's the go big or go home of the group, and thank God for them in our lives. I visited the Sea of Galilee in 2010, and we visited this place that could have been the place of the breakfast. And one of the things that sticks with me from this place is also the humanity of it, of Jesus, of his friends. How thrilled they are because he is their friend - their beloved friend. And thinking of that, it also reminds me how very human they (Jesus's followers) all were -- which allows me, a very run of the mill human, have a new way of seeing myself in a relationship with Jesus/with God. Thanks for this reminder today.
I agree that some scripture has to be lived to be understood. I used to hate Ecclesiastes. Now as a 54 year old, it makes so much sense. More sense than 25 year old me could have ever understood.
I love stories about Peter. I identify with him so much. I have made bold proclamations and broken my own heart so many times. So grateful Jesus always meets me again with good coffee and love.
Oh Sarah, I love, love, love this.
I once heard a sermon by a priest about this and I was just a puddle of tears. Having done my own denying, my heart was very broken. It was a big milestone in my healing journey and your post is a reminder of that. Thank you! 💗
Oh yes! Sunrise on the beach, sunrise on the water--it’s like experiencing sunrise with Jesus by your side, for me.
Whether we are by the beach or not, may Jesus meet us at sunrise and offer us a breakfast of himself. And may we say, “yes, you know I love you.”
Thank you, Sarah, for reminding me why this is one of my favorite Jesus stories, too. Instead of meeting Peter with judgement or scolding, he meets Peter with breakfast. He offers me breakfast in the face of my failures, too. And I ask myself the question , who can I serve breakfast today? Who needs my love, nurturing, and nourishment? Grateful for your ministry. ❤️
This has always been a favorite passage (story) of mine. I hear Peter's subtext--when he sees Jesus..."Yes, there he is just like usual"and with the same impetuosity that sent him walking on water earlier, or saying, "Wash all of me!" he jumps in the water. And has breakfast like many times before, and then reality sets in. Jesus is not the same--but then, neither is Peter. Too much has happened. I can feel Peter's guilt when Jesus asks, "Peter, do you Love me?" the desperate need to show Jesus that he does love him--that he always has and always will. Forget all that happened before. Then as Jesus says, "Feed my Lambs", I can hear Peter thinking--"Lambs? I 'm not a shepherd, I'm a fisherman." I can hear Peter thinking, "Are you demoting me because I screwed up?" And then, finally the third time, Peter may have realized the connection to his rejection of Jesus. How amazing, Jesus forgives him three times--once for each denial. I wonder if Peter bows his head in shame, or looks upward and reaches out his hands ready to embrace.
Jesus forgives us the same way. Jesus asks of Peter that he take on the care and feeding of the flock of new Christians--the lambs, just as we are asked to take on the care of our parishes, neighborhoods, and communities. Take on their care in a statement of "Yes Lord, you know I love you!>"
So beautiful - thank you!
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you Sarah
Thank you Sarah! I needed this. 💓💕
Oh I love this. Thankyou, Sarah ♥️I shed tears reading it this morning. Really,really beautiful.
Thanks
Such a helpful word, Sarah. Thank you!
Thank you Sarah for giving me a tender heart this morning. You noticed this so well, three affirmations for three denials. Meditating upon the passage, I always put myself in Peter's place. With each succeeding "Do you love me?", my heart aches each time and this time as always I am almost in tears thinking "Yes, yes, I do love you!" And despite my second guessing myself each time I'm asked, your hopeful conclusion inspired me today, "and then we just begin again."