Friday in the Octave
of Easter
(Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14)
Resurrection means, of course, that Christ is no longer dead
but alive. His body has ascended to
heaven, but his Spirit is free to be with others.
It should not be thought that this Spirit is merely a common sentiment which
people share when reminiscing about times past.
Rather his Spirit -- the Holy Spirit -- is a dynamic force that transforms
people inwardly so that they might fulfill Christ’s mission. Today’s gospel dramatically describes this
process.
Have the disciples really returned to their fishing
profession? It would be extraordinary
after receiving the commission of the Lord in his previous appearances to
them. But perhaps fishing is being used
as a metaphor to describe missionary activity.
In the image employed by the other gospels they have become “fishers of
men.” It is laborious work which can yield
nothing unless blessed by the Lord.
Under his tutelage, as seen in today's reading, its results are bountiful. The crew is then pictured as meeting Jesus in the
meal to which he invites them. There
they hear his words which guide them and consume his food which nourishes them.
The gospel passage suggests Jesus’ presence to us as well as
to his immediate disciples. He engages us
in our daily occupations. There we too can
produce marvelous results on behalf of our families, communities, and
society. Attentive to the words he
speaks in the gospel and fortified by his body and blood received in the
Eucharist, we are prepared to bring his mission of redemption to completion.
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