Followers or Admirers?

The social activist Julia Ward Howe once asked a Senator to use his influence to intercede for a constituent who desperately needed help. The Senator responded, “Julia, these days I’ve become so busy and involved in so many matters of importance to the nation that I no longer have time to direct my attention to the concerns of individuals.” Julia replied, “Senator, that is quite remarkable! Even God hasn’t reached that stage yet!”
In this Sunday’s Gospel some of Jesus disciples are out in a boat fishing. Suddenly the risen Lord appears on the shore and, soon, they are all having breakfast together. After they have eaten, Jesus initiates a one-on-one conversation with Simon Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Three times Jesus asks this same question, and then, he adds: “Feed my sheep!”
Our call from the Lord is a serious call! We cannot play around with it. Unfortunately, some of us are not so much followers of the Lord as we are admirers of the Lord. What’s the difference? Admirers simply admire. They remain unchanged and their lives remain unaltered by the object of their admiration. To be a follower is quite different. A follower moves from simply admiring a person to making the decision to be like the person.
We can admire Jesus, be impressed by all that he did and said, or we can be a follower of Jesus and begin to mold our lives around his. Being an admirer is very easy. Being a follower demands that we be very serious and devoted! Our task, the task of Jesus, is to build his Kingdom.
Jesus took great pains to offer forgiveness and reconciliation to Peter, who had denied him three times. Peter took the chance offered to him, and stated his allegiance. Yes, he had stumbled, but he wanted to remain associated with Jesus. Association with Jesus is our goal. However, that association brings with it a mission. Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep. This is Jesus’ call to us as well!
As we sit in church Sunday after Sunday, we must ask why we are here. What is the point of our coming? Is it to admire a pretty place, to be entertained by good music, to be uplifted by a sermon? Sometimes all we get are crying babies. Why do we come? Our faith demands that we be more than admirers. We must become followers. We must let Jesus have our lives and point them in a specific direction. We must do more than like the idea of everyone living together in peace. We must do something about it! Jesus stands on the shore still showing the way. Which way are we really going??