By Caitlin Seymour, Fiat Ventures
Third Sunday of Easter
I awoke this morning to tiny 2-year-old hands pulling on my finger. Have you had the pleasure? It’s a wonderful experience, to be gently (or not so gently) pulled out of bed by a precious child. But the best part of today was that my eyes fluttered open to behold a miracle – she was already dressed! Someone had gotten her ready for the day. And how ready for the day she was!
The Bible reminds us over and over that we must be like children to enter the Kingdom of God. At the end of today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “When you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you.” He’s not talking about our age. He’s talking about our faith.
Anyone who’s had a 2-year-old knows that when they dress themselves (which they always want to do), they end up looking… well, it’s a sight to behold. “Are your arms stuck in a pair of pants? Where did you get one of my high heels? A diaper is not a hat!” But when they allow themselves to be dressed by someone who can see the big picture, the result is much better.
In life, no matter how grown up we think we are, God alone can see our big picture. Why do we fight Him when he tells us how things should be? Why do we insist on doing it ourselves?
To a 2-year-old, there are a lot of things that feel good in the moment. But then she cries because she’s made a mess of things. (Like the time she decided she could play my guitar, and a string snapped. Or the time Papa’s coffee looked yummy. Or every time she feeds herself. ) She’s only really safe and happy when she lets her grownups take care of her.
I make a mess too, when I sin. I sin because it feels good – in the moment. But later, I suffer. Do you suffer, too? Why?
I used to be a bit of a wild child who sought “freedom”. I thought that freedom = fierce uncompromising independence. I thought freedom = caring only for myself. I ended up enslaved to a cycle of negative behaviors and unhealthy people. As I grew up and matured in my faith, I came to understand that true freedom = allowing God to care for me. His plan is better than anything I could dream up. Happiness = stretching my arms out and letting Christ dress me in His love. He knows what’s best for me. And He wants to dress you too. Will you let Him? Will you stop struggling to do it all on your own? Where in your life do you need to let go of the fight?
In the Gospel, Jesus asks the disciples, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” He tells them how to cast their nets, and when they listen, their catch is so big they can barely haul it in. When we listen to God (and don’t insist on doing things our way) His reward exceeds our wildest expectations. But here’s the twist: the disciples didn’t recognize Him at first. How often I fail to recognize God in my life! I say “give me a sign, Lord!” And then I close my eyes. I don’t do it on purpose, but I do it. What little signs is God sending you today? Pay attention. Try to look beyond. Try to see Him. Try it for a week. One week of really listening. I’ll bet it makes a huge difference.
Now, yes, God calls us to allow ourselves to be taken care of. But He calls us to be caretakers too. Three times Jesus asks Simon Peter if he loves Him. Three times Jesus tells him, “feed my sheep”. Could that be any clearer?
Simon Peter is upset, because Jesus is supposed to know that he loves Him! He is supposed to know because Simon Peter has said it many times, and has followed Jesus. I’ve said many times that I love God. And I’ve gone to church every Sunday. Often, I go every single day. But… BUT… do I care for my brothers and sisters? Do I really? How much sheep-feeding do I do on a daily basis?
My mother was right all those years: “to whom much is given, much more is expected”. I am so blessed that God is my caretaker. And so are you. So I must be a caretaker for others. And so must you. What a beautiful world we live in.
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