The Pastor was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going ask the congregation to come up with money for the repairs of their church. He was annoyed to find the regular organist sick and a substitute brought in.
"Here's a copy of the service" he said impatiently, "but you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about finances."
During the service, the minister said, "Brothers & Sisters, the church repairs cost twice as much as we expected. Any of you who can pledge $1000 or more, please stand up.
At that moment, the substitute played, "The Star Spangled Banner". He
immediately became the regular organist!
It was a moment of grace. Recently out pastor Father Brian used the phrase, "Our time on earth is a time of Grace." This period of time in the church's liturgy, from now until Pentecost, is a time of Grace and a time of Transformation.
Jesus calls us today, as he called Peter and the disciples in his Resurrection appearances. Let us look at one of those encounters. In John 21:15, Jesus has just appeared to the disciples, asked them to cast their net again, enabling them to catch a large number of fish.
After they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter:
"Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheepFollow me!"
There is much in Peter's life that mirrors our lives. How often have we denied Jesus and turned to the easier path? And how often have we been accepted back.
Jesus loves us just as much as he loved Peter. And he calls to us today three times: Do you love me? Imagine him calling us by name: Ken, do you love me?
Kneeling at the crypt of St. Peter, Pope Francis 1st repeated the three professions of faith the Gospels report the apostle making: "Lord, you are the Christ, the son of the living God," "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life," and "Lord, you know everything; you know I love you."
Imagine that Jesus is calling to you today:
"Do you love me?" you say, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
And Jesus says to you: "Then love your wife, your children, your family"
Jesus asks a second time: "Do you love me?" You answer, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
And Jesus says to you: "Then love my church."
A third time Jesus asks you "Do you love me?" You answer: "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
And Jesus says: "Then follow me. Serve me in those who are poor, desperate, marginalized, in hospital"
(With thanks to Bishop Don Bolen, Saskatoon for this inspiration)
