Finding Jesus: In our hearts and in others

	Word to Life  Beverly Corzine

One brisk fall day I had to return home to retrieve a forgotten book. As I opened the door, the spicy smell of sautéing onions and green peppers greeted me.

Standing at the kitchen sink, my husband said, "What are you doing here? Forget your book?"

I nodded. "I thought you said you weren't making soup today."

"I changed my mind," he said, with a rather quizzical smile.

Third Sunday of Easter (Sunday, April 22, 2007) Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Psalm 30:2, 4-6 Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-19

I entered the living room, which is shrouded in near darkness during the fall and winter. In the corner of my eye I saw a figure standing to my right, but recognition was slow in coming. Then he stepped closer. Finally, the smiling face of our dear friend Sal registered. An explosion of laughing, crying, hugging, and explaining ensued.

Sal, whom we had not seen in six years, had a layover at the airport. Sal and Winford had been planning to visit me at work, but my unexpected appearance set the stage for a double surprise on an ordinary day.

The element of surprise is at play again as John prepares us for the third post-resurrection appearance of Jesus. After all the events that have elapsed since the crucifixion, a small group of apostles and disciples return to the familiar seashore.

It seems the men haven't decided how to fill their time after the action-filled years of following Jesus. Although some have witnessed the resurrected Christ, they are men without a plan.

Finally, Peter decides to do something like we ourselves might do in this situation - something ordinary: "I am going fishing," he announces, which must have seemed a good idea because the others pile into the boat with him.

After a long night without catching a single fish, the men recognize a familiar figure on the shore. Soon nets bulge with fish. Hungry men fill themselves with breakfast.

In this almost surreal scene, Jesus probes the heart of Peter with the penetrating question: "Do you love me?"

As Jesus digs deeper with each question, Peter answers an emotional yes.

	Reflection question • When have you been surprised by an opportunity to tend God's loved ones?

Jesus has no words of condemnation for the man who denied him. Jesus prefers love, grace, and commitment.

If we listen, Jesus continues to ask, "Do you love me?" If our answer is yes, we will discover "sheep" that need our care.

This column is offered in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.