All the fruits of the Spirit which we are to lay weight upon as
evidential of grace, are summed up in charity, or Christian love; because this is the sum of all grace. And the only way, therefore, in which any can know their good estate, is by discerning the exercises of this divine charity in their hearts; for without charity, let people have what gifts you please, they are nothing.
- Jonathan Edwards
(Love . . . and do what you will. St. Augustine.) |
ACTS
4:1-12; PS 118:1-2 AND 4, 22-24, 25-27A
JN 21:1-14
Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called
Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."
They said to him, "We also will come with you."
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?"
They answered him, "No."
So
he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something."
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord."
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging
the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught."
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast."
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?"
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus
came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.
Reflection on the
Scriptures |
I find it striking that Peter encounters the Lord in the midst of his mundane, ordinary work as a fisherman. Unlike many desert ascetics, he does not cling to heroic individualism but allows his friends to accompany him. Nor does he immediately find fulfillment, undergoing what can only be characterized as a long, dark night of the (fisherman’s) soul. After a fruitless night, he also shows
willingness to take advice and change course, even when he doesn’t wholly understand or recognize what is going on.
Most of all, as a disciple Peter is always seeking his Master. He swims to Jesus; he drags fish to Jesus; he allows Jesus to feed him breakfast; he heals in the salvific name of Jesus. As we near the end of the 8-day Easter Octave, may we experience more fully Peter’s joy in
following the Lord. It’s time to jump in the sea.
- by Jay Carney Revelations of Divine
Love - by Julian of Norwich
Thirteenth Revelation, Chapter 36 “My sin shall
not hinder His Goodness working. . . . A deed shall be done—as we come to Heaven—and it may be known here in part;—though it be truly taken for the general Man, yet it excludeth not the special. For what our good Lord will do by His poor creatures, it is now unknown to me”
It is known that afore miracles come sorrow and anguish and tribulation; and that is for that we should
know our own feebleness and our mischiefs that we are fallen in by sin, to meeken us and make us to dread God and cry for help and grace. Miracles come after that, and they come of the high Might, Wisdom, and Goodness of God, shewing His virtue and the joys of Heaven so far at it may be in this passing life: and that to strengthen our faith and to increase our hope, in charity. Wherefore it pleaseth Him to be known and worshipped in miracles. Then signifieth He thus: He willeth that we be not
borne over low for sorrow and tempests that fall to us: for it hath ever so been afore miracle-coming. |
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