Daily Devotion

2nd May -“More than These”

Audio

Today is Friday, the 2nd of May. It is also the Feast of St Athanasius.

Athanasius, who served as Bishop of Alexandria in the 4th century is remembered as a theologian who was unwavering in his teaching and defense of the divinity of Jesus Christ and contributed to the formulation of the Nicene Creed. 

Let us pause for a moment. Be aware of the presence of the Lord.

We join in the prayer of Psalm 61:

61 Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
² from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,
³ for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.

⁴ Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
⁵ For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

⁶ Prolong the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!
⁷ May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

⁸ So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I perform my vows day after day.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.

The Scripture is taken from John 21:15-19:

¹⁵ When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Reflection

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

What exactly are the “these”?

The Greek word touton can refer either to people or to things. We cannot be certain, because we weren’t there. Was Jesus gesturing toward the abundant haul of fish, the other disciples, or perhaps even the excitement of witnessing miracles — and now, seeing the risen Lord Himself?

We simply do not know for sure.

What we do know is that Jesus asked Peter this question three times before entrusting him with a new responsibility.

For Peter, loving Jesus meant something very tangible: he had to surrender his former life — whatever “these” represented — and take up a new calling. No longer would he be fishing for fish; now, he would be feeding Christ’s flock, the Church.

And for us?

We, too, have our “these” — the things, people, desires, or habits we might love more than Jesus. It might not be a career. It could be wealth, comfort, pride, hobby or even a hidden sin. Whatever “these” are for us, they will always stand in the way if we are to truly follow Him.

Jesus still asks today:
Do you love me more than these?

WIll you pray for a moment and hear what the Lord is saying to you today?

As we remember the life of St Athanasius, we are thankful for the many through the years who have been faithful in feeding and protecting the flock of Christ. Will you take some time to give thanks and pray for your Pastor or Vicar in his or her shepherding responsibilities?

We end by saying the Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, 
the Father, the almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord ,
Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, 
eternally begotten of the Father, 
God from God, Light from Light, 
true God from true God,
begotten, not made 
of one Being with the Father. 
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven; 
by the power of the Holy Spirit 
he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures; 
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead, 
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, 
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, 
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Be blessed by Earnest and Ming Li’s reflection in this song, One Fifty Three.

Cold sand between his toes, a stick to stoke the coals
He’s minding a fireplace at dawn for the fishermen who trawled in vain
On the Sea of Galilee, they sailed the night in misery
But he hollered at sunrise “Throw down your nets, on the starboard side you will find a surprise”!

And the boats were heaving  with one fiftty three
A school of fish by the Master’s decree.  
He said “Join me for toast,  when you bring in your catch to me !”   

Knowing the voice who called, a single disciple swam quickest to shore
Others soon followed and found food prepared
On an open grill, some fish and warm bread
Then the conversation turned, to Peter whose heart still yearned
For pardon and love from the One he denied
So the Lord restored him not one, two but three times  saying 

“Son of Jonah do you love me?
If so feed my lambs and care for my sheep.  
You are a rock  and that is the man I see !”

What did we do to find favour? 
Weren’t we all so locked in our failures? 
Yet He with us came to be
Whether land or water,  He is everything we need

And the boats were heaving  with one fiftty three
A school of fish by the Master’s decree  
He said “Join me for toast,  when you bring in your catch to me !” 

Link to today’s Morning Office.