Peter and the Risen Christ

FORGIVENESS

John 21:1-19

I

Does he not desire

forgiveness?

Does he not believe in

forgiveness?
Not for himself.

He has returned to the sea –

the familiar,

unpredictable waves and

fickle fish.

“I am not a

fisher of the human soul!

I cannot even keep my own intact.”

He mourns.

And he tries to

forget

his failures.

So many

failures.

From the bright

future

of the call, “Come;

follow me”

to the assurance, “You are  Petros – the rock!”

he actually thought he could be more than a

fisherman

with empty nets.

Yet here to Galilee

he has returned…

and his nets are,

once again,

empty.

II

Flying through the waves

onto the beach,

he begs no

forgiveness at all – do you notice? –

he makes no excuses for himself, though he knows he has

failed.

Yet he

breakfasts with the Risen One.

Fish that never touched his net steam over a

beachfire.

And Jesus speaks of love. Simple, right?

Never once does he mention

denial. So Peter (still in denial?),

earnest and

uncomprehending,

affirms

his love.