How Many Times Have I Told You?
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21: 17)
During the energy crisis in the 1970’s, my parents joined many Americans in the quest to do our part to conserve energy. Our family adopted new house rules on nearly every aspect of life as we kids knew it, Shutting the doors, lowering the thermostat, turning off the lights as you left the room, curtailing use of the television set and other electronics, were all concerns that impacted us kids. At first, my parents patiently explained their reason for insisting on our compliance. Later, instructions got shorter and shorter to the endpoint of one of my parents yelling out “Lights!” or “Doors!” to which the child involved would freeze, turn around, comply, and move on. That shorthand may have seemed strange to someone not part of our household, but each of us knew what it meant and truly none of us wanted to answer, “what are you talking about?” We all knew the next phrase would be, “If I have told you once, I have told you a hundred times…” The patience of parents can reach its limits.
In this weekend’s Gospel reading, Peter became “distressed” when it seemed to him that Jesus was being repetitive, but Jesus was sharing his unlimited patience and instructing him in the shorthand of providing Christian love. Peter did go on to successfully “feed my sheep” with the early church.
Pope Francis also provided us with many examples of how we can walk the walk as a disciple. In choosing his name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis relayed his commitment to the poor and the marginalized, in caring for our world, to living in peace with our neighbors. One of his shorthand messages was that he wanted “a poor church for the poor.” He eschewed the trappings of previous papacies, and let his actions speak volumes to the world. Pope Francis continuously provided us an example of humility, honesty, and mercy to others.
But how do each of us respond to “Feed my sheep,” or providing a “poor church for the poor?” It starts with our individual decision to follow Jesus Christ as a disciple. Once we say “yes” then it becomes inherent upon each of us to live as stewards, accepting the gifts we have been given, nurturing those gifts to the fullest potential, sharing our gifts generously with others, and at the end of our days, returning them to the Lord. In shorthand, we Pray ~ Serve~ Share. Each of us has been gifted generously by God. Your gifts are not the same as mine and vice versa. Taking the time to understand what we have been given, then growing those gifts and sharing them with those we encounter takes a life time. Some of our gifts shared we will receive instant gratitude from others. Other gifts we may never know the benefit that others received. In truth, that “return on your investment” is not the reason you choose to be a disciple and live as a steward. God sees all of our actions. That shorthand of “feed my sheep,” is your calling. How will you answer that call today? Tomorrow? Pray~ Serve ~Share your way along the path of Christian faith. Know that God is with you every step of the way.
Mary Kennedy, Parish Administrator, St. Olaf Catholic Church, Minneapolis, MN
