Sometime after Jesus' resurrection. Peter.and several disciples were together. Suddenly Peter said, "I am going fishing" (John 21:3). Why? Some speculate that the disciples thought this "Jesus thing" was over, or that Peter was simply bored and had to get back to something familiar. I wonder whether Peter just had to slow down and thing about all that had happened. I do that. When events have moved so swiftly that I haven't had time to put them into perspective, it helps to take a walk in the woods or to work in the yard while I think them through.

Do we too quickly return to our everyday lives after the glorious celebration of Easter? Does the greeting, "Christ is risen!" seem dated by the Third or Fourth Sunday of Easter? Do we return to our daily routines, making the great event of Easter simply another routine in our liturgical observances?

To be fair, we cannot sit in the Easter garden forever. We have to get up and get on with our lives. But have we gone about our work renewed with the power of the resurrection? We do not hear of Peter and the others going back to their boats after having breakfast with their Lord on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (John 21:15-19). What was it that gave them boldness in their witness?

"We'have a clue in'Peter's words" in Acts 5. Peter declares that Christ was raised "... to give repentance to Israel and the forgiveness of sins." The resurrection story is not simply a statement that a man was killed in the land of Israel and then was seen alive again. That might receive a footnote in history books and medical journals, but it would have no saving significance. "He rose" is the historical event. "For us" is the point at which we become involved. Because Jesus rose, we are united with God forevermore and our sin and death are overthrown. That's why the angels sing, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."

So we return to our routines, but they are no longer routine. We are no longer the routine humans we once were, lost in sin. A new world and a new "we" have dawned. A new "we" have been invited to the meal as Jesus "... came and took the bread and gave it to them .:." (John 20:13). Our living Lord invites us to the Holy Supper again and again, and we-know it is "for us." We, too, are made bold in the power of His resurrection, for CHRIST IS RISEN!