Reflection: “Responding to God on the Road of Life”
(written by Rev. Dyanne Marlok)
May 4, 2025
I invite you to consider the following unplanned encounter with nature. It’s after dinner on a warm spring evening. The sun has set and soon stars will be twinkling in the sky. On the drive back home from a wonderful day by the lake, fields pass by on either side. In the distance there is a light from an approaching car. A large deer suddenly appears, damaging your vehicle. The deer is seriously injured. Standing by the driver’s door, you are visibly distraught while also feeling grateful that no one in the car was injured. As a result of this encounter, you decide to change how you drive on that stretch of road in the future. Maybe you drive a little slower or drive a little more attentively while watching out for deer warning signs. Changes intentionally occur.
Saul, a main character in today’s reading from Acts, is a Pharisee seeking to harm anyone who follows the teachings of Jesus. Saul is travelling with letters providing permission to arrest the followers of this preacher. On the road to Damascus Saul has an encounter with the Risen Christ. Jesus specifically chose Saul. As a result of this amazing encounter, Saul of all people becomes a follower of Jesus. The ways in which Saul lives his life and how he interacts with others are forever changed. Many know Saul by another name, Paul, the writer of several letters in the New Testament. Paul, who becomes a faithful and inspiring follower of Jesus.
In today’s Gospel reading, a grieving Simon Peter decides to go fishing in the Sea of Tiberias. His friends follow him. Throughout the night their net remains empty. A man on the shore tells them to change what they are doing. He tells them to shift their nets to the other side. They listen. Together, these disciples try a new thing. Their nets become filled with fish. After listening to his advice and seeing the result, they realize this individual is not like them. They are conversing with the Risen Christ. He is visiting with them, yet again.
Reflecting on the ebbs and flows of our faith communities and our individual lives, are their times when we are so distracted by daily tasks and disagreements that we do not hear Christ calling us to try something new? It can take courage to respond when Christ calls us to do ministry in new ways.
As they come ashore, there Jesus is cooking fish over a fire. In this encounter Jesus is doing a routine human activity of cooking fish and yet his appearance on the shore with the disciples is something only God can achieve. Although he is already grilling fish, he asks his friends to also share some of their recently caught fish. Perhaps he is showing and reminding them that their contributions are important.
In our own lives, Christ is still gently and kindly inviting us to work with him. Our contributions are important too.
After their breakfast of fish and bread eaten on the shore by the sea, Jesus speaks with Peter. Peter, who days earlier denied knowing him and who lacked the courage to help Jesus when he greatly needed it. After his arrest Peter denied the Prince of Peace three times. Here, by the water with the lingering aromas of the fried fish still wafting in the air, Jesus talks with this disciple and asks him three times- Do you love me? Peter, who like the other disciples are grieving the death of their friend and teacher and wondering what comes next in their lives, responds to the questions. Each time, Peter, perhaps somewhat frustrated but without hesitation, answers with a yes! What a transformation in Peter! This is quite the conversation. Jesus also tells Peter to “feed my lambs…tend my sheep…feed my sheep.” Jesus trusts Peter. Peter is provided with new opportunities to live out his faith.
In our own lives, as we travel through the joys and sorrows, we encounter Jesus. Sometimes while questioning and searching for our own answers. Sometimes while rejoicing. Sometimes when we least expect to. In these times in our lives, our encounter with Jesus changes us. We are not quite the same. We are transformed.
As the conversation with Peter concludes, the Risen Christ says, “Follow me.”
It may not be easy at times. There may be challenges as we continue to follow the Way of Jesus. We may find ourselves on unexpected paths. At times it takes courage, trust, strength and faith to step out of our comfort zone. To follow Jesus takes commitment, intentionality, dedication and perseverance. It takes being open to receiving grace from God and from others, as well as offering grace to people we meet and interact with along our journey. It involves participating in spiritual practices, either alone or within community. As we pray, read Scriptures, silently reflect, perhaps walk a labyrinth, light candles, and sing hymns our relationship with God continues to grow.
Like Saul and Simon Peter in today’s readings and countless other followers of Jesus over the centuries, encounters with the Divine have the potential to transform us. It is what we choose to do about our encounters with God that provides us with an opportunity for the Spirit to gift us with new life and energy, benefitting both ourselves and others.
Be brave, compassionate and filled with grace. As you journey through this world as a follower of Jesus, may your words and actions reflect your faith.
May it be so. Amen.