By the water’s edge, forgiveness flows and love is rekindled
by Sister Mary Kabat
“It is the Lord!”
I can picture the scene ... the lake is calm, sound travels a great distance over the water, there is a person on the shore unrecognizable due to the distance and muted light of dawn. He calls out, “Have you caught anything?” “No,” the apostles say. “Cast over the right side.” You know the rest of the story.
This is an encounter with Jesus that Peter badly needed. His denial of Jesus, not once but three times, must still weigh heavy on his heart. Jesus’ questions remind Peter what remains true – Peter loves Jesus and he is called again to follow Jesus; follow Jesus to his own death.
Jesus knows the words and actions we wish we could take back. He knows the good we wish we had done. He knows the heaviness, regret and guilt we carry, and he desires to hear that despite all our weaknesses, we love him and we set our feet again on the path to follow him.
Hear Jesus say to you, “Do you love me?”
Wow, so powerful! Deep in the silence of our hearts that question echoes. Thank you, Sr. Mary.