Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk

Jesus implies that we owe something to God because we have received from him. We owe something to government because we receive services of various kinds from it. Both government and religion have claims on us.

We each have our calling from Jesus and our own experience of Him to share. No two life stories are the same. What do I have to tell about Jesus?

Today’s Gospel is about forgiveness and friendship. When Jesus says “Follow me,” Peter knows his has been forgiven for his betrayal. How have I betrayed the Lord?

Jesus looks on His disciples–present and future–as the Father’s gift to Him. They–we–are precious to the Father and to the Son.

Although it involves sharing the joy of Jesus and the Father, Christian discipleship isn’t easy. Disciples are sent into a world that does not welcome or understand them.

As disciples of the Lord we share Jesus’ glory and the generosity of the Father. We are precious to Jesus because we are precious to the Father.