|
One great remedy against all manner of temptation, great or small, is to open the heart and lay bare its suggestions, likings, and dislikings before some spiritual adviser; for, … the first
condition which the Evil One makes with a soul, when he wants to entrap it, is secrecy. - Franois de Sales (1567-1622), Introduction to the Devout Life
(At least to acknowledge our desires to Christ,
if no adviser or spiritual director is available.) |
|
|
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.
USCCB Lectionary
|
|
|
John 21: 1-14 (Appearance by the Sea of Tiberius)
This passage is reminiscent of the call of Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Before Jesus called them to be disciples, they had been
fishermen. Finding them fishing in the sea, the risen Jesus tells them to cast out one more time; they net an abundance of fish. Jesus then nourishes them for their new role as fishers of people.
* How does God's grace nourish
you in your daily work? Do you believe your work and the successes you've had are entirely because of your own efforts or because grace has helped you get where you are?
* Do you consider yourself a fisher of people? What
does this mean to you?
* Pray for the grace to recognize God working in your life. 3rd edition pocketbook, trade book, Kindle, eBook.
|
|
|
|
|
|
God and I: Exploring the Connections between God, Self and Ego, by Philip St. Romain, 2016 (2nd ed.) ____________ Chapter 7: The Journey to Belonging: The Ego-God Relationship
The Response of Faith God has been observing our thoughts
and behavior since we came into this world. Nothing about us has escaped God’s notice. We might think . . . “even those thoughts I have . . . even that dastardly deed I’ve done?” Yes, all of it. No matter, God wants to be in relationship with each of us that we might learn more about Who God is and what God offers, what God expects of us, and so forth. Although God already
knows everything about us, we are invited to share it with God anyway, that it might be no longer a secret we hold, and can become a new, shared space within. Dating is a mysterious process. Some couples fall in love quickly and open themselves to one another without much hesitation. Others move slowly, cautiously, each new opening coming with fear and trepidation until they learn they
can truly trust one another. It is the same with God. Some people take their time, moving slowly, hesitant to truly open themselves for fear that once they do so, they will no longer belong to themselves. They are correct on this point. There seems to be a threshold beyond which quantum shifts take place. After my wife and I had our first kiss, we were in a new relationship with one another;
in many ways, we now belonged to each other rather than simply to ourselves. This is exactly what God wants as well: that we might open ourselves to Him in an act of trust and surrender. God, it seems, waits patiently for us to do so, for God wants a relationship of love with us, and love cannot exist where people do not make free choices. This act of entrusting acceptance of God
is the act of faith.
Hardback, paperback, eBook and free preview versions.
|
|
|
|
|
