This week it’s all about sights and sounds. The Acts passage tells of Saul’s conversion to Paul. It’s a dramatic story if ever there was one. Saul sees a bright light, hears Jesus’ calling him, loses his sight, and falls to the ground until Jesus sends Ananias to open Saul’s eyes. Next the Revelation reading actually contains the words, “Then I looked” and “Then I heard.” The scene described is countless angels and other creatures singing to Christ. The drama continues in the Gospel reading. Jesus “showed himself” by the Sea of Tiberias. There was a miraculous catch of fish, a recognition of the risen Christ, and the echoing question of “Do you love me?”

I keep trying to pull them apart to allow them to stand on their own. But this week, I can’t do it. Instead, I find myself asking a lot of questions.

• To what Truth of Christ am I blind? Who is trying to remove the scales from my eyes?

• Is Christ asking me to open someone else’s eyes? Am I listening?  Am I willing to do what is being asked?

• What change is at work in me that I am resisting?

• Who or what is singing praise to Christ right now? Me? The Church? People? Creation?

• Why does this Revelation text fill me with such longing?

• What does it mean to love Jesus and what does feeding his sheep look like now?

• Is there a difference between loving Jesus in a human way (philios) or in a godly way (agape)? (Jesus gave Peter the same response, but the question was different. It must mean something?)

• How would these passages be heard differently in different places in the world – Syria? North Korea? Israel? Ireland? China?

• What sights and sounds point to transformation in the world today?

These are my questions. If you have others, please feel free to share post them. Or, if you are inclined to answer any of them, please do that as well.

Sing praises to God, O you God’s faithful ones,
and give thanks to God’s holy name.
For God’s anger is but for a moment;
God’s favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

RCL – Year C – Third Sunday of Easter – April 14, 2013

Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19