At Mary's Knee

This is St. Peter's Primacy Church. This place commemorates the calling of Peter as the chief Apostle after the Savior's resurrection. Peter is asked, "Lovest thou me?" and then told "Feed my sheep." I loved learning about Peter and how he was prepared for this responsibility. President Kimball gave a great devotional in July of 1971 called "Peter, My Brother" (http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=703). In it, he says that perhaps when Christ tells Peter that he will deny Him thrice, it is more of a command that a prophesy. Perhaps it is a test for Peter, the man who has walked on water, cut off a man's ear in defense of his Lord, and boldly testified of His divinity. Perhaps he is told to hold his peace as a test of his obedience, to prepare him to lead the Church. And that likely saved his life so he could perform his duty. What an incredible and obedient Apostle.

Just before Peter received this call, the Apostles were again fishing, likely in the same place from which they were called 3 years earlier to follow Christ. A familiar scene played out as He revealed Himself to them, and then, as they came to the shore they saw that he had prepared a meal for them. I am amazed at the depth of His love. Surely He had other things to do, but He took the time in the middle of the night to prepare a meal for His friends. Just weeks before He had performed the Atonement to secure their salvation. His redeeming mission was complete. He had proved His love. And yet, He served them in simple ways. That is just His nature. Andrew Skinner was one of our professors there, and he shared this insight about this experience-- the word 'compassion' and 'womb' come from the same root in Hebrew. The redeeming mission was the call from His Father, but perhaps this deep compassion came from His mother's teachings. I liked that idea a lot, and I like my mom a lot. So I wrote this poem for her about this story, and Brother Skinner's insight.


The Apostles caught nothing on that disappointing night,
Then came the familiar call, "Cast your nets to the right."
Then nets with fish were breaking, and hearts with joy were filled
They saw the Resurrected Lord with His mission fulfilled.
There He stood in glory upon Galilee's sands
With scars fresh in His feet, and His side and hands.
He said, "Bring of your fishes, and I will give you more."
So they came and met Him upon that sacred shore.
It was there they saw the bread, and the fish upon the coals.
He could not help but serve them, though He'd already saved their souls.
He did not shrink for Gethsemane or from Golgatha's tree
Then as a God, prepared a meal for friends and Galilee.
Where did He learn such compassion, love to transcend the tomb?
He was taught at Mary's knee. He learned from the womb.