Reaching the Beach...again!

Hey all,

I'm very excited to be participating in Reach the Beach again this year. 

Can you tell from the picture?  

No really, I took this selfie last year just before my nighttime 9 mile run.  I was a bit nervous, but I have to say it was the most holy run ever.  The sky was clear and was full of stars and the road contained the blinking lights of vests of runners who ran in front of me.  It was quiet, serene and amazing.  

Reach the Beach is an over 200 mile relay race in scenic (aka - hilly) New Hampshire.  The experience was amazing last year and I’m looking forward to another memorably experience this year and another opportunity to raise money for the campership fund for Camp Calumet Lutheran. 

For me, camp has been and continues to be a place where I can truly be myself.  It’s a place where I learned about the love of God, the value of honest friendships and gained leadership skills that have transformed and shaped the way I do ministry today.  

Another big thing for me, especially when it comes to overnight camp, is the important place it has in the lives of youth and young adults.  We are connected to one another so often through social media and screens more than we see each other face-to-face, which works for some things, but hinders others.  

When you go to camp, you get to live with people you may not choose to live with.  You may be in a cabin or a tent with campers or a co-counselor that are much different than you are.  During your week, two-weeks or entire summer together, you learn to live with others.  You learn that your personal behaviors and actions impact those in closest proximity to you.  In a day and age when we are more ready to speak rather than to listen, living with others at camp forces us (in a good way) to live in the context with care and concern for those around us.  

As I enter into the last week leading up to Reach the Beach, I hope you can help in one or more of the following ways.  

1)  Please check out my fundraising page.  See the video of me in my staff shirt from the 1990s and learn more about why I’m running this year.  

2)  Share my fundraising page with people you know love camp and want to help more kids experience camp.

3)  Pray for the group of runners, drivers, chaplains and luggers (they help get mattresses and sleeping stuff situated for our runners & drivers) who will be participating in Reach the Beach on September 13 & 14.

4)  Make a donation of any size on my fundraising page. (Options to donate offline are there, too.  If you are local to me, you can hand me a donation in person.) 

Last year as I trained and ran, I helped raise funds for the campership fund for Camp Calumet Lutheran (the camp that shaped my faith and life as a kid and young adult.) Last year our runners, chaplains, drivers and luggers helped raise enough money that Calumet was able to lower the cost of camp by $100 for every camper. Imagine that!?!  If you can help in any way, it is deeply appreciated.  

Thanks for reading. 

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for your support. 

+peace

Let mutual love continue

September 1, 2019

12^th Sunday after Pentecost

Proverbs 25:6-7

Psalm 112

Hebrews 13:1-8

Luke 14:1, 7-14

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable and suitable in your sight, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen.

Humility is the understanding or will to accept yourself and to not be egotistical or arrogant, not to mention being accepting. 

Humiliation is the act of being humiliated by something or someone, so in a sense, it's embarrassment or self-loathing. 

The two are easily confused, but they are vastly different.

Here’s an example of humiliation and humility. 

The scene comes from the movie Billy Madison.   Billy Madison is a lazy adult who in order to inherit his father’s hotel empire must repeat Kindergarten through 12^th grade and pass them all.  When he enters the third grade, he is making fun of other students in his class and the teacher asks him to keep quiet or he will not pass.  Later, this class attends a field trip and the following happens. 

<<<For those of you reading for the first time, know that the following clip is longer than the one I shared in worship.  I cut the clip just as the teacher gets on the bus.  Be ready, if you're watching now, that this clip then becomes a bit, well, not worship appropriate.  Just so you know. ;) >>>

Billy Madison clip

We can see how Billy Madison helped shift the entire class dynamic by humbling himself so that Ernie is not embarrassed by the class. 

In a completely different example, Abby Wambach, two-time Olympic god medalist, FIFA World Cup champion andthe highest all-time international goal scorer for male and female soccer players, used to always do the following after scoring a goal.  

After the ball went into the net, she would point. 

First, she would point to the teammate who assisted.

Then she would point to the defender who protected them.

Then she would point to the midfielder who ran tirelessly.

Then she would point to the coach who dreamed up that play.  

Then she would point to the bench player who willed this moment into existence.  

She would always honor and thank the people who made that goal possible.  

(Abby shares this experience and many others in her most recent book, Wolfpack)

Today’s lessons are all about pride and humility. 

Proverbs says, do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great; For it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

Our passage from Hebrews talks about hospitality, loving relationships and not letting things get in the way of God’s relationship with us…

Are you sensing a theme here?  We are not to puff ourselves up so much, or get so caught up all that all we focus on is what we are doing…not why we are doing it. 

In our gospel lesson we are called to take on the ability of being humble…not to expect to be the best or attempt to be the best, but to humble ourselves…and the Lord will exalt us. 

In response to this week's texts, The Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe writes,

“The key to it all is a healthy humility.  Not a humility that negates or devalues anyone. Instead, a humility that recognizes all as equals before God.  A humility that values all human life and tries to see Christ in all.  How many of us would dare to invite those who are neglected and marginalized to dine with us and celebrate with us?  Mutual love combined with humility challenges the divisions society insists on creating.  What can we do as church to live in God’s love?” (To read the rest of her reflection on this week's texts, please check out her post here: RevGalBlogPals)

I like that phrase ‘healthy humility.’  It’s okay and good and healthy, even to accept ourselves for who we are and to not be arrogant or egotistical.  This humility that Jesus shows us in our gospel lesson today is not one of making fun of others or putting others down, but he lifts up the truth that there is room for everyone at the table of the heavenly banquet.  Humility to me shows the importance of lifting others up instead of putting them down. 

The reality is that in our places of work, our classrooms, our communities, our social media feeds and society in general seems to have taken a shift from humility to humiliation.  That is easier to put someone down rather than lift someone up.  We too often shame one another for their faults or differences rather than see and honor the diversity around us. 

It’s gotten brutal out there folks.  But the church has an important voice here and now. 

We are called to preach a gospel of unconditional love.  We are called to live lives that present humility to the world around us.  We are called to tell others and invite others to this table and a meal that welcomes EVERY human being…no matter who they are, no matter what their lifestyle, no matter what challenges and struggles they have faced. 

I think that, in itself, is humbling…that no matter who we are…God loves us.

No matter what we have done…God loves us.

No matter what sins we have committed, or will commit in the future…God loves us.

Only we ourselves, and God truly knows what is in our hearts and on our minds. 

And even knowing all about us…our faults, our failures, our inadequacies, loves us anyway! 

That is truly humbling…and all we can do about it, is put one foot in front of the other and come forward to this railing, to this table…and taste and see the unconditional love that God has for us. 

And this table…this sanctuary…this church…all of this is God’s presence in our world…God’s invitation is here for everyone all of the time. 

Knowing we are welcomed at this table, knowing we are far from perfect, we are still called, charged, tasked to invite as many as we can to this place. 

We are called to lift others up, we are called to be the living breathing body of Christ in the world around us. 

What does that look like in your everyday life? 

It may be different for each and everyone of us.

Our reading from Hebrews offers some guidelines…

Let mutual love continue.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers.

Let your marriage be held in honor.

Remember those who are in prison.

Keep your lives free from the love of money.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have.

These are some reminders of how we are called to turn from ourselves and live lives in community with others as the body of Christ in the world around us. 

What does it look like for you? 

For me, it is the simple process of getting to know my neighbors.  Strange, right? But I barely know the folks who live up and down this street.  So, for me it means spending more time on the front porch greeting others as they walk by on these beautiful fall evenings.  It means engaging in conversations with the families and folks who live across the street from me.  It is simple, but it builds community and connects us all. 

Some days I’m getting it just right and other days, I’d rather just keep to myself. 

But even on those days, I’m welcome in this place, with a word of forgiveness and grace to go back out and try again. 

“We are to choose God’s holy ways – every day and every moment.  And when we fail, there is forgiveness and grace enough to begin again.” (Another beautiful insight from The Rev. Dr. Rachel Keefe)

There is forgiveness and grace enough to begin again. 

Receiving that forgiveness and grace frees us to begin loving, serving and caring for our neighbors again and again and again. 

Knowing that you are loved and forgiven and welcomed at this table, how will you let mutual love continue?  In your heart, your home, your community and in God’s world? 

It’s a simple call, but not always easy.

Thanks be to God for this community that loves and accepts us for who we are and strengthens us to share that love and forgiveness in the world around us. 

And now may the peace, which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and let all God’s people say, amen. 

PS. By the time I preached this sermon for third time I was worried that the take home messages would be, it's cool to pee your pants and go point at people.  But hopefully, the images and illustrations help us all to be reminded that it isn't about us, but it is...in our ability to humble ourselves, lift others up and share the love of God while when we do.  

It's all about hospitality.

July 7, 2019

4^th Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 66:10-14

Psalm 66:1-9

Galatians 6:[1-6] 7-16

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable and suitable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen. 

It was just over a year ago when 13 youth and 4 adults all filled with the spirit, yet quite exhausted returned from the National Youth Gathering in Houston.  This past week many memories from a year ago popped up on my social media feeds. 

This picture is the last meal I had in Houston, at the airport. 

It's the biggest breakfast quesadilla I’ve ever seen...and eaten.

Everything is bigger in Texas. 

We ate so well when we were in Houston, but the place that left the biggest impact on our stomachs and our hearts was Daisy’s Deli.  We found this place on Yelp and were wondering why the address led us to an administrative building.  Yet, as we filed in past the security guard and the other folks dressed for work we found this small deli on the first floor.  I’ve talked about this place before, but it was definitely a highlight of our trip. 

Here we are with the owner, Pil, and another employee who took care of us not once, but twice while we were in Houston.  

Our bellies were full, and Pil was a little weepy when we asked to take this picture with her after our second visit.  

I know this place left a huge impression on us because of the hospitality they showed to us.  They welcomed us in, took great care in getting our order correct, which is sometimes tricky with a group of 17, and we watched them prepare each burrito and bagel sandwich fresh for us. 

It’s all about hospitality, isn’t it.  Especially when you travel.  That was one of the first things we talked about as we were leaving for Houston, as soon as we boarded the vans to take us to the airport, we were dependent upon the hospitality of others until we returned back to good ol’ Robesonia. 

Maybe some of you have experienced something similar in your travels.  That as soon as you leave the comfort of your own home or community, you are dependent upon the work and service of others for your well being while you are away. 

It’s all about hospitality. 

Sometimes I think it’s a humbling experience to be at the needs of others, especially when you are away from home.  It’s often humbling when you realize that you and you alone may not be able to care for yourself, and you need the presence, help and care of others to meet your own physical needs. 

In our gospel lesson today, Jesus addresses not only hospitality, but also relationship, as he sends 70 followers out to proclaim and share the good news of Jesus Christ. 

He appoints 70 and sends them out in pairs. 

That’s a good start, right?  They are not sent out on their own, but in the company of another.  They are to carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 

They are sent without anything, which shows that they are dependent upon the hospitality of strangers for their well-being as they travel and evangelize. 

They are to greet no one on the road…seems strange to say that, but here again, it’s that reminder, that they are on a mission (from God).  They need that reminder, to focus, on the mission of getting this gospel message out there. 

They are to enter a house and first say, “Peace to this house.” They enter with a word and greeting of peace.  They are to remain in the house eating and drinking whatever they provide.  Who knows what will be offered, but again, it pushes Jesus followers to be open and ready for the hospitality of others.  That’s not always easy. 

And then this line, do not move about from house to house, but remain in the same house. 

And this is where we move from hospitality to relationship.  How do you get to know a person?  By spending time with her or him. 

How do you learn about a culture or a community?  By spending time there, eating the food that is set before you, listening to the stories of the people there and sharing your own life stories. 

It is through time spent with others, specifically listening to their stories and experiences, that we learn about others and are able to see where God is at work in the world already. 

How we know God and have experienced God in our lives is through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

That is the story we are called to share with others.  What we experience in this place: forgiveness, grace, love, supportive prayers, the body and blood of Christ at this table, God’s word breathing into our lives in word and song, that is what we are called to share with others. 

How do we respond to this calling from Jesus today? 

So, how are we, just like the 70 we read about today, sent out? 

Each and every week we are sent out of this place…to share the good news of God, to go to the places Jesus sends us, to build relationships with others, to listen to their stories and to share the places and experiences we have had with Jesus in our own lives. 

That’s how the gospel message is shared, folks. 

Yes, fed and strengthened in this place we are prepared to share the message out there, but it’s not until we leave this place that the gospel message is shared. 

We are living in a world that seems to become more divisive each day.   It rough out there…but out there…that’s where God is already in the midst of the struggles, disagreements, misunderstandings and in the joys, too.  Out there is where we are called to see Jesus at work and to be Christ’s hands and feet reaching out to those in our community, nation and world who are in need of a word of forgiveness, a hug of peace, a meal or a safe place to sleep.  It is far too easy for us to leave this place, feeling the love and grace of God and holding on to it until we come back next week. 

It us much more challenging for us to leave this place and enter into relationships with people who are different than we are (for whatever reason) and to enter into relationship with them and see how God’s love and presence grows when that happens. 

We’re not going to run out of God’s love and grace and forgiveness when we share it.  It will keep going and going and going. 

That’s the good news, my friends, this love of God, this grace of God, is NOT limited in any way, shape or form.  We are free to share this unending love and grace with everyone we meet. 

I pray that as we leave this place that we are able to see God at work in the world and be drawn into the places, conversations and relationships that Jesus calls us to be part of. 

May we be the hands and feet of Christ in our community and in our nation. 

May we show the love of God to all God’s children. 

May God show God’s love through our listening, our loving, our serving and our learning. 

And may the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen. 

Sunday's Sermon: Tabitha, Rachel, Mabel...

May 12, 2019

4^th Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:36-43

Psalm 23

Revelation 7:9-17

John 10:22-30

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable and suitable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen. 

I’m not sure how to begin today. 

So, I’ll start with this.  Rachel Held Evans was a popular writer who challenged the evangelical Christian establishment.  She was a voice for many through her blog posts engaging posts on twitter.  She lived a life called by God and one that was transformed by a living and loving God. 

Rachel was born in Alabama in 1981 and moved to Dayton, Tennessee, as a teenager.  She was an enthusiastic and devout believer from the start, steeped in the American conservative evangelicalism of the 1980s and ’90s; as a teenager, she was quoted in Christianity Today praising her high school’s federally funded abstinence program. 

She left and returned to the faith many times trying to wrestle with the Bible, it’s teachings, her life experiences and the world around her. 

Rachel became a forceful and winsome public voice for progressive evangelicalism, first as a blogger and later as an author and sought-after speaker. She started he blog more than a decade ago, and in her years of writing she confronted every controversial issue in American evangelical culture. 

Her political and cultural polemics attracted the most attention. But she also wrote passionately about her own evolving faith, her prayer life, her wrestling with doubt, and her love for the church.  In her most recent publication Rachel wrote, “Anyone who has loved the Bible as much as I have, and who has lost it and found it again, knows how a relationship with the Bible can be as real and as complicated as a relationship with a family member or close friend.” (Inspired)

Rachel’s last blog post was on March 6, Ash Wednesday. 

In it she wrote:

“It strikes me today that the liturgy of Ash Wednesday teaches something that nearly everyone can agree on. Whether you are part of a church or not, whether you believe today or your doubt, whether you are a Christian or an atheist or an agnostic or a so-called “none” (whose faith experiences far transcend the limits of that label) you know this truth deep in your bones: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return.”

Death is a part of life.

My prayer for you this season is that you make time to celebrate that reality, and to grieve that reality, and that you will know you are not alone.” (Previous details about RHE from Slate.com)

In mid-April, Rachel was admitted to the hospital for flu and had reactions to the antibiotics.  After being placed in a medically induced coma to help control seizures she died a week ago on Saturday, May 4^th at the age of 37.  37.  Really?!? 

Her writings inspired and encouraged me to lift my voice. 

Her experiences helped me to know that it’s okay that faith and doubt are part of this life’s journey. 

And that it’s okay to be firm in your faith one day and completely wonder what God is up to in your heart the next day. 

She was a woman and a person of faith who grew up in the church, was shaped by the church, challenged by the church, but through it all learned of a God of love and grace and forgiveness who called her to share that same love and grace and forgiveness with all God’s children.

She will be missed, and not forgotten. 

This past week, Mabel, a dear saint of the church died.  She was known throughout this congregation for the many, many quilts she made when infants were baptized at Trinity.  Several years ago, we took a picture with Mabel and many of the youth with their quilts.  She wrapped the most vulnerable in our community in warmth and love in those quilts. 

I learned this week, too, that when Mabel was still able to come to church she would bring a bag of food for the food pantry.  The volunteers knew right away that it came from Mabel.  Apparently she tied it a special way and in it each week was a meal: cereal, fruit, vegetables a starch or grain.  When the volunteers asked her why she did it she said that she would do it as long as she could because God wanted her to. 

Our lesson from Acts today echoed the life of Rachel and Mabel.  Once you get passed the Greek translation of Tabitha’s name as Dorcas. 

Growing up, and maybe even now, the word Dork, is not flattering or complementary.  So let’s get passed this hiccup together and also learn that her name means gazelle.  (That’s much more complementary.)

Tabitha has lived a live of that of a disciple.  She is the person throughout the entire New Testament who is labeled as a female disciple.  She has lived a life where she has used the gifts and talents she has received from God to help provide to those in her midst, primarily by making clothing for those around her, specifically widows.  She helped care for those in her midst who were the most vulnerable in her society.  Upon her death, they were not just mourning her death, but also perhaps fearful of what their own futures would be without her presence and help in their lives. 

When Peter arrives after hearing of her death, those gathered are showing him the clothing and sharing the ways she helped provide for their needs.  He steps into her room, kneels down beside her and prays.  Then he turns to her and says, Tabitha, arise.  (the same word that we use when we say Christ has been raised from the dead….same arise.)  She sits up, he holds out his hand and he raises her up, and presents her as living. 

That, my friends is the vision of hope, is it not? 

Presented to her friends, and to those who depended upon her for clothing and support, Tabitha – alive – is hope for the present day and hope for the future. 

No doubt as the prayers went out in the beginning of May for Rachel Held Evans, they were full of hope.  Hope that the doctors could diagnose the problem, figure out a solution and bring her out of the coma, out of the hospital and back home. 

But Rachel’s outcome was not the same as Tabitha’s. 

So, for those of us still on this side of the grave, we wait. 

We wait in the light of the empty tomb as we cry out in anger, grief and loss. 

Those of us who have experienced the death of a friend, especially a young friend, struggle with this loss. 

Those of us who have experienced the death of someone whom they have relied upon either financially or physically cry out as they wonder and perhaps worry about what their future may be. 

Those of us who have experienced the death of a loved one know the feelings of loss, of sadness, worry, anger, stress, frustration and sometimes even hopelessness. 

We wonder what the future will bring. 

We wait.  In grief, in longing and in hope. 

And the hope, my friends, the good news this day, comes to us straight from the book of Revelation. 

“For this reason, they are before the throne of God,

and worship him day and night within his temple,

and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.

They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;

the sun will not strike them,

nor any scorching heat;

for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,

and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,

and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 

This, my friends, is the promise of the resurrection. 

This my friends is the story of hope that we are called to tell over and over and over again. 

So that in this broken world, in this world of death and brokenness, there is hope. 

There is comfort and the promise of a future of eternal life. 

There is comfort in grieving together, leaning on one another and returning to this place week after week to hear these words of comfort and unconditional love from an amazing loving God. 

Listen to those words.

Take those words into your hearts and your mouths and share them with those who need to hear them this day. 

This is the story of Jesus we are called to tell. 

The story of a savior who walks with us in our darkest valleys, leads us beside still waters, restores our soul and never, ever lets us go. 

Share that story. 

In her book Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water and Loving the Bible Again Rachel Held Evans writes, “Jesus invites us into a story that is bigger than ourselves, bigger than our culture, bigger even than our imaginations, and yet we get to tell that story with the scandalous particularity of our particular moment and place in time.  We are storytelling creatures because we are fashioned in the image of a storytelling God.  May we never neglect the gift of that.  May we never lose our love of telling the tale.” (P. 164)

Friends, never lose your love of telling the tale of Jesus. 

Tabitha, Rachel, Mabel, these faithful women shared and showed the example of Christ’s love in word and in deed. 

We, too are called to tell the tale, to show Christ’s love and live it out. 

And may the peace, which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen. 

#becauseofRHE

PS...

May 5, 2019

3^rd Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:1-6

Psalm 30

Revelation 5:11-14

John 21:1-19

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable and suitable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen. 

At the beginning of each Star Wars film, the screen looks like this

and if you’re in the theater there is a hush that falls over the crowd. 

And then the iconic theme starts as we see the famous logo.

And then comes the opening crawl.  

When the first film came out in 1977, we needed the back story so we knew what was happening as the movie started.  It gave viewers just enough info to get us ready to watch the movie. 

As other Star Wars films hit the screen, each one came with an opening crawl to let fans know what happened since the last time we joined these characters…if time had passed, it filled the gap.  If the film took place earlier in time than previous films, we again gained enough insight to get us into the movie without being utterly confused. 

It thought about trying to figure out how to turn today’s Gospel reading into an opening crawl like that of a Star Wars film, but it would have gone on and on and on…but here’s why I thought about it, because that’s the way our gospel lesson begins today, right? 

We’re jumping right in to chapter 21, so for a moment, let’s look at the end of chapter 20.  After Jesus appears to the disciples in the locked room, on the day of resurrection, and appears a week later, again in that room to show the disciples and Thomas that he has been raised, we read verses 30&31.  

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Sounds like the end of the book, right?  It’s a nice ending…although I’m sure many would like to know what those other signs were, not written in this book, but the closing statement, right? But these that are written so that you - pointing at us, those hearing, those reading - so that we may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. 

And so in a way, that is the end of the Easter story. 

Just not yet. 

Enter into chapter 21…After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way.

It’s like we’re entering the Star Wars crawl…we are being drawn back into the story, into an ongoing story of salvation, forgiveness, love and eternal life. 

It’s like someone got a hold of John’s gospel and was like, this needs a postscript.  A PS. 

Right, you finish the letter (or the email) and realize that you wanted to add one more thing… so you add a PS. 

This PS, this postscript for today’s gospel lesson is a good one. 

It’s another appearance of the resurrected Christ in the presence of the disciples.  And it happens after they have gone back to life as they know it, or knew it to be after the resurrection of Jesus.  

Think about it, you devote 3 years of your life, following this man named Jesus as he heals, teaches, breaks through barriers, troubles church and political leaders with a radical message of loving your neighbor and your enemy.  

You’ve followed Jesus and you’ve listened, learned, been confused been loved and maybe have even denied knowing him.  And then he is resurrected….and after that Easter day, life goes on. 

You return to the fishing boat you know so well, because there is comfort in the familiar and you need to continue to earn a living for your family. 

For whatever reason, the disciples have returned to fishing, for fish. 

And when Simon Peter realizes who it is he throws on his clothes (for he was naked?) yeah…another interesting detail added to this P.S. he jumps into the sea and swims to be with Jesus. 

He crawls onto the beach and smells the charcoal fire.  Perhaps it’s reminiscent of the fire smell as he stood on the night of Jesus’ betrayal denying Jesus three times. 

As they steer the boat in and realize their catch of 153 fish, Jesus invites them to breakfast.  I don’t know about you, but this is a great invitation, right?  Come, have some breakfast.  Come, sit, eat bread and fish, let us share a meal. 

And in this seaside meal, the love and compassion of Jesus is shown so deeply, to Peter, especially. 

It’s as if this postscript is meant just for him.  Jesus asks him not one time, not to times, but three times, Simon, Son of John, do you love me? 

The third time, Peter looks hurt…because he has confessed two times already to his love of the Lord.  But the third time he says, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."

Gosh, if you’ve ever wronged someone once, let alone three times and your offered the opportunity to repent and receive forgiveness, that’s a powerful heart-changing place to be. 

And that’s where Peter is, on the beach with Jesus, telling him over and over how much he loves him…and in that love, Jesus says, follow me. 

Jesus comes back, to Peter specifically to say, follow me. 

The one who stepped out onto the sea, lost faith and sank…

The one who didn’t want Jesus to be crucified, but when he spoke out against it, Jesus said, get behind me Satan!

The one who at Jesus transfiguration wanted to build tents and never leave the mountaintop.

The one who denied Jesus three times…after crying out to Jesus that he never, ever would deny knowing him…

This is the one, to whom Jesus returns, in love, in grace and in forgiveness and says, “Follow me.” 

Gosh, if this isn’t the best PS ever written,  I don’t know what is. 

I don’t know about you, but Peter is the disciple with whom I seem to identify with the most.  The one who messes up and is called out for it. 

The one who steps out in firm faith and then falters and sinks. 

The one who tries to do her best to love and serve God’s people but then messes up. 

I forget to thank someone, I miss an important meeting, I take time for myself when I could have taken time for someone else. 

I feel like I’m living the Gospel as faithfully as I can, and then I’m reminded that no one can do it perfectly, and that even with all the good work I do in God’s name in this place, there are some who feel slighted, left out, overlooked or forgotten. 

I’m not perfect.

Thank God that Peter wasn’t either…

Because if (not if) because Jesus loves someone like Peter, Jesus can love me, too. 

Jesus can still come into my heart and my life and my world and break in, to break me out of myself to see that there is a God of forgiveness and love who wants to continue to use me to reach out in love and forgiveness to God’s people. 

That’s some PS, right? 

It’s this kind of a PS… 

It’s Jesus coming back, after that glorious resurrection and reaching out to Peter as he fishes, as he is living his life. 

That’s the same Jesus, who comes back here, today…and not just today, and not just in this place. 

It’s that same Jesus who comes back tomorrow, as you’re having breakfast with your family…

As you’re getting on the school bus…

As you’re commuting to work…

As you’re filling up at the gas station or at dunkin’ donuts….

Walking into work, or onto the golf course or reading the paper at home. 

Jesus is there, saying to you…PS.  I love you.  Follow me. 

Look for the resurrected Christ in your midst. 

He loves you.

He forgives you. 

He bids you, follow me. 

And now may the peace, which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen.