This Sunday, the third of Easter, we will hear two stories of call. One in Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) and the second in John 21: 1-19.
Although the main characters are so very different in their living, both have said yes. Saul, now Paul, believing that in spite of the harm and chaos he has caused in the persecution of Christians, Jesus is calling him to new life. To redemption and resurrection.
Peter, always a little confused, says yes even in the depth of his despair of denying Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Jesus never gave up on him.
Redemption, resurrection – on-going and freely offered to each and every one of us, again and again.
One of my favorite poets, Joyce Rupp, offered beautiful words of hope and gratitude for a life which also knew moments of regret and despair. I share them hereunder:
This prayer is taken from Little Pieces of Light
O God,
as I look back at my life
I see many little pieces of light.
They have given me hope and comfort
in my bleak and weary times.
I thank you for the radiance
of a dark sky full of stars,
and for the faithful light of dawn
that follows every turn of darkness.
I thank you for loved ones and strangers
whose inner beacons of light
warmed and welcomed my pain.
I thank you for your presence in my depths,
protecting, guiding, reassuring, loving.
I thank you for all those life-surprises
that sparked a bit of hope in my ashes.
And, yes, I thank you for my darkness
(the unwanted companion I shun and avoid)
because this pushy intruder comes with truth
and reveals my hidden treasures.
In spite of ourselves, in spite of our failings and our moments of mis-guidance, God never ceases to offer that promise of Resurrection – new and abundant life.
All we have to do is say YES!
I pray that you will embrace the grace offered in the on-going invitation to live life as a people of the Resurrection.
Pastor Beryl DLM
Sister Joyce Rupp, O.S.M., is a Roman Catholic author and speaker. She is the co-director of The Institute of Compassionate Presence, a member of the Servite Order, and a volunteer for Hospice.