John 21:1-19
Today we have the sighting of Jesus at the beach. Why is this a necessary story for this gospels ending? Maybe its because of the tendency towards fracturing. Jesus says earlier in John that the disciples will scatter and not be able to come together. We all have known times where a key loved one has died and that community no longer gathers together. It is like the soul has gone out of the community itself. The one who kept us together has been lost and we are at loose ends.
This is how it is with the disciples this morning. They were locked up in the upper room together, they all saw Jesus, but they don't know how to go on from this encounter. So they decide to do what is familiar to them. There are only seven of them there, they are all fishermen, something that makes sense to them. So out they go.
Community is important. Right now we are tearing at the fabric of community. We are so polarized by right or left, right or wrong, true or false that we have lost the ability to come together. Jesus shows up and has a meal to create community.
Feeding people is a great way of creating community. It is essential, because if we don't eat we don't have life. Also, it is where we meet no matter what we believe or don't. This table we gather around every Sunday has key elements of forgiveness, no matter what.
Peter has denied Jesus three times. Should Peter really be able to be a part of this? Jesus thinks so. He comes together with all of them including Peter, including the ones who ran and didn't watch the crucifixion. We know in John's gospel the only male disciple at the crucifixion was the beloved disciple because he entrusts Mary to him, like a son. Jesus doesn't hold this against these followers though. He continues to show up among them.
When we come to the table we are to gather as a community. No matter where we stand politically, socially, or any other thing. These are all to be overlooked as we forgive one another with abundance. We pray for one another and we uphold one another in prayer. These are the essentials of community.
If Jesus had not shown up today, would the first communities have been able to go out into all the world? We have to remember this started as a Jewish faith community deeply rooted in Jewish traditions. Including those who were persecuting you was not a part of the belief. It was believed that in mixing with Rome you became unclean and were corrupted in your beliefs. Jesus erases all those lines we as humans make. There is no other in this community.
So by gathering at this table every Sunday we are to take on more and more of what Jesus wanted for a community. Including those we don't think deserve to be at the table. This table gathers all to it. Even the ones who betray. Even those who don't feel worthy. Even those we can't imagine at the table. Leave a space and come and gather at the abundant table of love.
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