Hope in our Homes
This week we will meditate more about the story of Jesus and Simon Peter walking together on the shore. As each of us are transitioning differently in this new quarantined normal, no matter what your job status is, the number of kids you have, married or single – we are all being stretched during this time. We all need to be daily reawakened to the rich hope found through the faith we hold in Jesus.
Take a moment to breathe deeply before reading the scripture below.
John 21:15-17
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus spoke to Simon Peter.
‘Simon, son of John,’ he said, ‘do you love me more than these?
‘Yes master,’ he said. ‘You know I love you.’
‘Well then,’ he said, ‘feed my lambs.’
‘Simon, son of John,’ said Jesus again, for a second time, ‘do you love me?’
‘Yes, master,’ You know I love you.’
‘Well, then,’ he said, ‘look after my sheep.’
’Simon, son of John,’ said Jesus a third time, ‘do you love me?’
‘Master,’ he said, ‘you know everything! You know I love you!’
’Well, then,’ said Jesus, ‘feed my sheep.’
Upon first glance, this interaction between Peter and Jesus does not evoke the “good feelings” often associated with the idea of hope in our culture.
Jesus goes to where our pain is. He takes Simon Peter away from the others, and asks him repeatedly ‘Do you love me?’ Every time that the question is asked by Jesus and answered by Peter, the answer earned each time is not a pat on the back from Jesus like, “I know you do Peter, I know.”… but instead, a fresh commission, a new challenge. Time to feed lambs and sheep and look after them. You see, Jesus trusts Peter to do the fruitful work of shepherding, even though Peter’s love for him was wobbly and human. Jesus is sharing his own work (as the good shepherd) with Peter. Just as Peter was asked repeatedly, so are we… When our children constantly ask for our attention, when we feel shame or fear and are tempted towards old patterns of coping, when irritations ruffle our feathers… Do you love me? Can you make space in your attention, your heart (even if it’s clouded and concerned), to answer that question? Jesus knew that by repeatedly asking Peter if he loved him, he was going deep into the pain that Peter felt when the rooster crowed. Often hope walks hand in hand with an experience of pain… and Jesus knows this.
This week can we practice a posture of pausing when we feel discomfort brought on by this collective season of stretching? Oftentimes we rush past moments of discomfort in order to keep everything together. What if Jesus wants to walk with us like he did with Peter and have a conversation through our pain into what this present moment’s commission is? Lucky for us, we have precious little ones in our homes – they are a constant reminder of God’s new life at work.
How can we adjust our time to be present and engaged to the ‘little lambs’ in our homes? Even in normal circumstances, life with small children can frustrate our normals. What are the new normals we can be learning with them… with Jesus?
The first time Jesus appeared to the disciples after his resurrection he said:
“Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:19-22
Let this serve as our hope – we are no longer alone, but a redeemed creation who walk with the spirit of the Living God. May you and your family feel the nearness of God this week as you work, go on walks, breathe in nature, and spend time together.