Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray with Me”.

Do you have a vocation? Something you feel called to do? Something that suits your gifts and disposition? I spent 33 years in computing, which was a good fit for my on-the-spectrum personality.

Meanwhile, God formed me over those years in a vocation of prayer. That’s what I do now in retirement. Not like in a monastery, where monks pray all the time. But prayer is central to my heart and life.

In the last chapter of John, Peter discovered something about his heart and his vocation. Having denied Jesus three times, he went back to fishing. In the morning when Jesus called from shore, Peter was excited enough to walk on water. But that wasn’t one of his skills, so he jumped in and swam to shore to meet Jesus.

After breakfast, Jesus talked with Peter. Three times he asked, “Do you love me?” Three times Peter replied, “I love you.” And each time Jesus responded, “Care for my sheep” (21:15-17).

Jesus didn’t mention the denials, nor did Peter ask to be forgiven. Three statements of love, one for each denial, healed the relationship.

I wonder why Jesus didn’t talk to Peter about fishing? The stage was set with a fishing scene at dawn, Peter and crewmates hauling in a netful of 153 fish, and Jesus serving fish for breakfast. An amazing opportunity for Jesus to give Peter a fishing vocation. “Do you love me? Become a fisherman for people.”

But Jesus had shepherding in mind. He called himself the good shepherd, not the good fisherman. After Peter’s final fishing expedition, Jesus gave him a vocation as shepherd. A shepherd of people.

Let’s pray.

O Jesus, our childhood fantasy was to become a doctor or scientist or fire fighter. Later when power and money seduced us, we supersized our dreams to become business owners or politicians or high-powered executives.

But as we grow older and wiser, we settle into the smaller tasks, lower wages, simpler life you call us to.

Help us be faithful in our jobs and marriages and churches. And help us find the work you call us to, the vocation where we serve you and others.

Teach us, like Peter, to be fishers and shepherds. To be people who pray, and practice hospitality. Friends of God, and followers of you, Jesus.

Amen.

I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.

YouTube channel: Pray with Me – YouTube.