04 May 2025 - Easter 3, Year C

 

Theme

This week we are faced with the challenge of what it looks like to be called by the risen Christ. Paul’s call caused him to repent of his past transgressions. Peter was called to show his love for Christ by caring for God’s sheep.

Scripture Readings

Psalm 30 - A psalm of assurance in God’s goodness and care. Sung for the dedication of the temple.

Acts 9:1-6, (7-20) - Paul (Saul) meets Jesus along the road to Damascus. After years of persecuting Christians, Paul hears Jesus’ voice and receives God’s call to follow him.

Revelation 5:11-14 -  A vision of the angels and every creature on heaven and Earth singing praises. “Worthy is the Lamb” and “Blessing and honour and glory and power.”

John 21:1-19 - Jesus appears to seven disciples who were fishing. They had a fruitless night fishing, but when Jesus told them to toss their nets to the otherside, they were overflowing with fish. At first the disciples did not recognize Jesus, but after this miracle, Peter declares that “it is the Lord.” After this, Jesus asks Peter three times: “do you love me?” Peter responds in the affirmative and Jesus says, “then feed my sheep.” Jesus ends by telling Peter to follow him.

Personal Application

Have you ever imagined yourself in Peter’s shoes in our gospel reading from today? If Jesus asked you the question, “do you love me?” How would you respond? Jesus’ conversation with Peter reminds us that it is easy to say that we love Christ with our words. But do our actions line up with our praises? It is good to praise God (we see a mighty vision in revelation of the entire heaven and earth praising God), but if our love for God is not manifesting itself in the way that we love and care for people, our praise is nothing but a clanging symbol (1 Corinthians 13).

In what practical ways can you show your love for God by caring for others?

Communal Application

When Paul met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, his eyes were opened to all of his past transgressions against God’s people. He realised his need to repent of his past actions and live a new life, following the Way of Jesus.

Often, when we are called by God, as individuals and communities, we do not do the hard work of repentance and transformation. We are happy to praise God in chuch and fellowship with other believers, but we continue to treat people in the same ways that we did before we were called by God. If we truly meet with the risen Christ, we should be willing to realise the ways we were mean to others in the past and try to make reparations and live differently today. This is true both for us as individuals and us as churches and communities.

Think back to your life before you knew God. How has the way you treated people changed since then? Are there any groups of people that you are still mean to or ostracising that God is maybe calling you to include and embrace with love and care?