Sunday's sermon

 

MAY 1, 2022

          Today’ lessons from Acts and John tell us about two of the most important events of the earliest church—the conversion of Saul to Paul and Jesus’ commands to Peter.

          Peter and Paul—besides being a good candy bar—are icons of the early church.

          Paul wrote 13 of the 22 books of the New Testament and Peter is considered to be the first Pope.

          Icons indeed!

          Let’s remember what happened in both events.

          Saul is on the Damascus road with permission from the High Priest in Jerusalem to persecute the followers of Jesus there.

          A light from heaven blinds him and he hears a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

          Unable to see, Saul says, “Who are you, Lord?”

          And the voice answers, “I am Jesus” and tells him to go on to Damascus where he will be told what to do.

          For three days he cannot see or eat or drink.

          Then the Lord sends a man named Ananias to Saul to tell him to proclaim the gospel. Jesus is using Saul/Paul to preach to the Gentiles.

          So, Ananias restores Saul’s sight and tells him Jesus’ command.

          Saul recovers and is known to be preaching the gospel in Damacus for several days.

          Thus begins the ministry of St. Paul.

          And we are blessed by it to this day.

          We should all have a Damascus Road experience. We should all meet the Risen Lord and be given a role to play in his Kingdom.

          Then in John’s gospel, Peter and the other disciples go fishing and catch nothing.

          But a figure on the beach tells them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat and they catch so many fish to nets can barely hold them.

          Peter, who was apparently fishing naked, puts on this clothes and swims to the shore to see Jesus. (I find that odd since most of us take off some clothes to go swimming!)

          Then, after eating fish with them (which gives me joy since I hope and pray whatever lies on the other side of death involves eating good food!) Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him.

          Peter is irritated that he is asked three time, but Peter is often irritated, but Jesus give him three commands.

          “Feed my lambs.”

          “Tend my sheep.”

          “Feed my sheep.”

          Jesus tells Peter to tend and feed from birth on the ‘sheep’ that follow him.

          And Jesus calls us to do the same.

          As you can see in the back of the church, you feed and clothe Jesus’ sheep with great diligence.

          And next week we have a baptism and in that service I will ask all of you, “Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support Vera in their life in Christ?”

          And you will answer, with gusto and intention, I hope--“WE WILL!”

          Feed the Lambs of Jesus. Tend the sheep of Jesus and feed them as well.

          That is what we’re called to do.