RCL Reading Sunday 18 April
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-11-14
John 21:1-19

The Psalm (30) and the reading from the book of Revelation (5:11-14) both focus on praise – praise that emerges out of hard times. The psalmist has been in a desperate situation and now has been delivered out of it – it is a resurrection like experience and results in praise on behalf of the psalmist (v.1-3) and an invitation for the community to join in that praise (v.4). The nature of the trouble is not specified so as you read the psalm you can carry in your mind a specific trouble you have been through and let the psalm give voice to your praise.

The book of Revelation is not an easy book to read as much of it is written in highly symbolic language to describe visions that John has been granted while a prisoner doing hard labour on the island of Patmos. The difficulty has been added to by its inappropriate use and interpretation by some groups. Chapter 5 begins with a vision of sealed scroll in the hand of God (v.1) which represents the purposes of God, but there is no one worthy to open it and reveal them. John’s response is “to weep bitterly” (v.4). But there is one who is worthy and the highly symbolic language makes it clear that the worthy one is the crucified, risen and ascended Christ (more could be said about the symbolism!). The response is that the whole of heaven and the cosmos erupts in worship (v.11-14). Offer your praises to God using these words of heavenly worship.

The Gospel reading (John 21:1-19) is one that it is easy to picture in the imagination as the narrative unfolds, so read it slowly, see the scene and try to enter into the emotions that Peter has as this resurrection encounter is told. I invite you then to focus your prayers on three themes woven together within this reading: mission, restoration, and pastoral care. These three themes are common to all the resurrection accounts.

The account of the large catch of fish has always been understood as a symbol of the mission of the Church. What began in failure (a night without a catch) ends in an enormous catch. The turning point was the risen Lord and his instruction, which must have seemed strange to seasoned fishermen, but their willingness to obey resulted in the enormous catch. Much ink has been spilled over the significance of the 153 fish – the simple answer is that it probably had symbolic significance but the symbolism is now lost (despite the claims of some!). What is remarkable is that “the net was not torn” – the unity of the Church (see Jesus command Jn 14:12-17 & prayer Jn 17:20-23). Our mission stems out of obedience to the risen Lord. Pray for the mission and unity of the Church.

John 21:15-19 is a moving account of how Jesus restores Peter. By making him face his past failure (charcoal fire, three times asking ‘Do you love me?’) Peter is set free from it so that it no longer has the power to trip him up in the future. We can be set free from our past – it may be painful but remember who is there with you! Pray and visualise Jesus in the situations for release for yourself and others from past failure and its grip. Jesus is very pastoral in the way he deals with Peter – firm, loving, affirming. Pray for those who exercise pastoral ministry. Pray for your own pastoral ministry. Peter is given a three fold task “Feed my lambs”, “Tend my sheep” and “Feed my sheep” – pray for those who ‘feed’ the ‘lambs’ – those literally who are young and those who are young to the faith, pray for those who feed through preaching, teaching and house groups, and pray for those who are called to exercise oversight (tend) the Church.