5-4-2025 The Lure of the Familiar

On Andy's and my first date, I ordered one of the "safer" items on the menu: a flatbread pizza. Andy, on the other hand, looked at our waiter and said, "I'll just have whatever you think is good." I was both flabbergasted and impressed - who was this man who would leave his dinner order up to a complete stranger??

Our choices for dinner that evening many years ago said something true about each of us: Andy likes novelty and adventure, and I prefer what is known and familiar.

My preference for the familiar means that I resonate with Peter in this Sunday's gospel reading from John. It's a few days after Jesus' resurrection - a life-changing, world-changing event! - and what does Peter do? He goes back to what's familiar to him; he goes fishing. As pastor Katelyn Gordan Cooke tells us, it might not be what we expect from the disciple who was so zealous in his faith, but it's what he did and it's where Jesus found him.