Friday in the Octave of Easter

“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.” -John 21:1-14

Two scenes in the Gospels bring great peace to me: the Nativity and the breakfast with Jesus. The Nativity makes sense to me in that it inspires peace, but I struggle to understand why this one does.

Maybe it is because when the Lord presents Himself to me, I am overwhelmed and in awe. I cannot speak, and like the disciples in this passage, I sit in silent adoration of the Lord. But it is more than that. I can feel the excitement they felt. I can feel their heartbeats quicken as their souls swell in the presence of Our Lord.

Christ waits on the shore, charcoal fire ready for us all. He invites us to sit with Him, and He will feed us. But He asks us to share the fish we have caught with Him. Cast your nets where Christ tells you. He desires us to bring Him every fish in the sea. Our net is proclaiming the Truth:

He is risen! He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

Saint Vincent Ferrer, pray for us.

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Jesus, I trust in you!