Check in with a comfort and a challenge from this past week.
John 21 recounts an appearance of Jesus to the disciples after his resurrection. He has alreadyappeared to them, but before this appearance, the disciples seem not to know what to do. Peter goes back to fishing, and proves about as successful as before he met Jesus.
Only read verses 1-3 as the rest of the story is too fantastic to consider only briefly.
The scripture reading for today follows on from the disciples’ experience at Pentecost.
Inspired by the gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter finds the courage, in his role as leader, surrounded by the eleven, to begin proclaiming the message about who Jesus of Nazareth really was.
Peter shares the Good News – the Gospel – with those willing to listen. He weaves together his own experience of Jesus with the prophecies of the Old Testament. He reminds them of recent events; events they may have witnessed themselves. In his retelling, he is honest but does not condemn.
As we listen to Peter’s final statement again, consider the words: ‘Now all of us are witnesses’.
What could this mean for you?