Morning,

cooler this morning and temperatures dropping to cooler than normal. Now I'm confused, what month is this? I've jus turned the heating off....may have to look at that again!

Sunday service 10.30am, family service, all welcome. We will be talking about beach breakfasts- intrigued, well come and see what it’s about.

Today’s reading is John 21: 15-19

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Reflection…

This final chapter of John’s gospel is just so special. The interaction between Jesus and Peter on the beach has so many levels and associations. Our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters see it in part in establishing the papacy, and leadership ministry in church in general. Biblical scholars point out that several different words for “love” are used in the text, “agape” referring to a deep sacrificial, godly love, and the “phileo” which Peter uses to respond to Christ means more of a brotherly love, a word which Jesus uses when he asks the question for the third time…perhaps, after being not so lenient with Peter, Jesus is meeting Peter where he is with his typical compassion and care.

Most important is that here we see an individual talking to his Saviour and telling him joe much he loves him. This is something that we all struggle with from time to time, words being as weak as they are, makes us weak, but we all want to try. And there is an element of fear here as well, to follow is often not without consequence, as we have seen from the Easter story. But Eastertide is a great time to think about all this and re-commit, no matter how we will struggle with the words, he is with us always and knows that we love him……may just find hard to say some times!

Today’s prayers…

Please pray for all who worship and minister at St Margaret’s Church here in Ingol.

Risen Christ,

From whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: Open the doors of our hearts, That we may seek the good of others                                                             

And walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace,                                               

To the praise of God the Father. Amen.

Have a great weekend, hope to see you Sunday.

Rev Rie