49 Days

 49 DAYS – SUNDAY MAY 4, 2025


John 21:1-19  “After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them, and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

➖

Over these first 100 days of the Trump Administration (in political time) or, actually, since Advent (in liturgical time) I have been trying to process my feelings of concern, outrage and fear at the losses I perceive around me. Our democracy, community compassion and basic human decency seem to be crumbling away. Now I find in the stories of Jesus’ resurrection a call to a promised alternative - a call to the promise of the Kingdom of God being made real among us.

It takes time to leap into such a promise. Easter Sunday I noticed how difficult it was for the women, finding an empty tomb, to process the declaration of angels as the tomb's emptiness only added to their grief. Last week Thomas was unable to accept the witness of his friends whom Jesus visited while Thomas himself was absent. Today, even for these same disciples who have seen and heard Jesus for themselves, there is lingering confusion. Simon Peter says, “I am going fishing.” And his companion reply, “We will go with you.” This is not “Let’s take a break and figure this all out.” No. This is, “Back to work, I guess. Jesus may be alive, but we have to put on the table somehow.” Fishing was the disciples' original vocation, not a hobby. Fishing is what Jesus had called the away from at the beginning. Now he has to do it again. There is work to do as God ushers in the new!

Our story says this event marks the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples. How many times has Jesus appeared to you? I mean, what does it take to dam up the flood of fear and anger we have been feeling to make room for new possibilities? While the “call” of Jesus’ disciples here is only implied, we know it is coming, right?

One hundred ugly days of grief and despair. Now we know what we need to know about who President Trump is and what he’s going to do. With Easter a line is draw in the sand. Our Sunday morning Gospels give us 49 days – 7 weeks of 7 days (perfection squared) – to see the shift of God ordains in the Resurrection. (Traditional Christians call this the “season” of Easter.) During these 49 days the resurrected Jesus appears, proves, teaches, prepares and encourages us - all leading to a 50th day, the birth of the Church.

Work on your heart with me, won’t you? My gears are grinding but I want to go forward, not back. (“We’re not going back!!” is still relevant. Find the courage to yell it all together once again!) Right now I am taking baby steps. I want to see. I need to touch Jesus’ wounds and eat breakfast with him at daybreak. Catching a few fish along the way doesn't hurt! Believing is a process, so I am working the program. 

Forty-nine days to make the shift. I’ll take it. And as I do so I’m giving my all to the new vision. I’m jumping into the Promise of what can be – body and soul. Are you with me?!

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