Friday of the Octave of Easter
(Acts 3:11-26; John 21:1-14)
“It is better to light one candle than to curse the
darkness.” This reportedly Confucian
proverb was adopted by the Christophers, a humanist movement founded by
Maryknoll Father James Kelleher in the middle of the last century. Adherents saw themselves as bringing Christ,
the light of the world, to others. One can
see the importance of having Christ in mind in today’s gospel.
The resurrection appearance occurs after Peter and six
other disciples have been fishing all night without success. They may have already started cursing their
luck when Jesus harkens them as the rising sun from the shore. He tells them to throw their net on the right
side of the boat. Following his
directive brings an extraordinary catch.
Evidently the 153 fish represent all the different types in zoological
records at the time signifying, of course, that they will convert all the
nations.
We should not allow ourselves to fret when challenges
amount or frustrations arise. Rather we
are wiser and more successful when we turn to the Lord in our need. We might ask ourselves, “How would he have us
act?” And we should always ask his assistance.
