When death seems to have had the last word and rising up feels locked down, we call on the power of love and life. We take up Jesus’ cup of freedom, we call on the name of the One Who Is Truly Sovereign, and we claim the freedom to move forward, to follow, to rise again, to love, bless, and be opened. In the end, we are filled with the freedom of the Spirit of God.

Jesus used common examples like “tend my sheep,” “feed my lambs,” and “cast your nets on the other side” to call the disciples to follow in his footsteps—inviting all to a life of freedom. And like Saul whose eyes were opened to the freedom to follow the ways of Jesus, this Sunday’s scriptures invite us to leave aside our hesitations and claim our discipleship.