Today's readings are about love, forgiveness and dependence on God. 

Acts 5: 27-32, 40-41
Ps 30: 2, 4-6, 11-13
Rev 5: 11-14
John 21: 1-19

Let us begin with Psalm 30:

[Lord] my God, I cried to you,
and you have healed me.

Sing praise to [the Lord], you saints of his.
    Give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment.
    His favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may stay for the night,
    but joy comes in the morning.
6 As for me, I said in my prosperity,
    “I shall never be moved.”

You have turned my mourning into dancing for me.
    You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness,
12     To the end that my heart may sing praise to you, and not be silent. 
[Lord] my God, I will give thanks to you forever! Ps 30: 2, 4-6, 11-13

David wrote Psalm 30 to thank God for saving him in times of trouble. When things were going well for David, he thought he would continue to be successful on his own. Pride made him believe that he was a self-made man who needed no help from God. He soon learned that as he faced disaster, only God could help him turn defeat into victory. In response, David pledges to praise God forever. But suppose God had delayed his assistance. How would David have responded then? Would he have still praised God? God doesn't need fair weather friends. Yet, he knows our shortcomings and loves us anyway. And for that, we should be truly grateful.

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John 21: 1-19

After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.”

They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?”

They answered him, “No.”

He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”

They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”

So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits[a] away), dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.

Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.”

None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.

Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead. So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?”

He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”

He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”

He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”

He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?”

Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” John 21: 1-19

In John's gospel we see that Peter and other disciples were reverting back to old habits. Now that Jesus had risen from the grave, things were starting to get back to normal and perhaps Peter and his crew were becoming lax in their zeal for the Lord. But Jesus had other plans for them in mind. 

First, Jesus gave them a simple lesson in dependence on God. They had fished all night and caught nothing. But as soon as he told them where to drop their net, they caught 153 fish! Like a parent concerned for the nourishment of his children, Jesus had already started a fire to prepare them breakfast. He even called them "children"!

Then Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him more than the others loved him. Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times. Now Jesus was giving Peter the opportunity to reaffirm his love for Jesus three times. And Jesus for his part wanted to make it clear that he had forgiven Peter for denying him. 

Peter in his heart knew that Jesus knew that Peter loved him because Jesus knew everything. He was God! So was Jesus going to let Peter return to things as they were before he met Jesus? No way! Jesus told him to follow him, although that road would eventually lead to Peter's own crucifixion. We know that Peter's suffering would end with eternal joy in heaven. That is the same lesson David had learned in Psalm 30. God will turn mourning into dancing for those who love him.

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Acts 5: 27-32, 40-41

When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name. Acts 5: 27-32, 40-41

Here Peter is anything but lax in defending his preaching of the gospel. They even praised God for allowing them to be beaten because of their testimony! For the apostles, obedience was paramount. They would not be bullied into silence. How could they be silent when they had seen their Lord sacrifice his life for the forgiveness of their sins? They knew that suffering for defending God lasted only a short time, but their joy in heaven would last forever. God expects us today to stand up for our faith: correct others when they offend God; sign petitions; support financially those who need help paying for lawyers to defend themselves. We must make our voices heard. Judgment Day is coming! There will be a reckoning. 

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Rev 5: 11-14

I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!”

I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!”

The four living creatures said, “Amen!” The elders fell down and worshiped. Rev 5: 11-14

And who will judge us? The Lamb of God who is seated at the right hand of the Father. Let us not be found wanting when we appear before his Judgment Seat! How will you answer Jesus' question to Peter? "Do you love me more than these?" Do you love God more than wealth, success, power, or pleasure? Let us show the world how much we love God while we still have the time!

Now go and serve our King!

John