What if
it IS True? Blog
Discovering,
wrestling with, and trying like crazy to live Gospel virtue.
04/25/14
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.
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.
A
charcoal fire and one hundred and fifty three fish. Sounds like a
party. Actually it reminds me of one of the best meals I've ever had
while on vacation in Florida several years ago. We had run unto
friends of ours from back home in Kentucky at mass the first Sunday
we were at the beach. We made plans to get together and sure enough
we did. First, we went to the local fish shop and got the freshest
fish you could ever eat. Then we cooked the fish on the grill just as
a storm was blowing in. Very dramatic to say the least, but
regardless of the challenges the fish was the best ever.
So
what's the virtue here? It has to come down to trusting in God's
providence. If we believe God will provide we might be able to avoid
many of life's frustrations. St. Jose Maria Escriva, founder of Opus
Dei, says in his flagship work The Way that we can rest assured that
whatever is happening to us now is for our own good in order for us
to grow spiritually. It's not always easy, mind you. But it is the
only way to live a life in peace and free of frustrations. A friend
of mine likes to say, be flexible or be miserable. Using the
application of everything being for our own good and spiritual
growth, if we choose, we can find real peace.
Back
to the fire and the fish. We see this as reconciling Peter. This
reflects two major episodes in Peter's life. One, when Christ first
called Peter he allowed him to catch a boat full of fish. And, it was
around a charcoal fire just a few days before when Peter denied ever
knowing who Christ was. These reconcile Peter, yes. Now look at the
lesson for us all. I see a beautiful allegory. Christ says he will
make us fishers of men. And what a better way to fish for men than
with the fire of the Holy Spirit. This is Christ's divine
appointment, both to Peter and to us. And it's as true today as it
was then. We can all be reconciled with the grace of fish and fire.
Good
luck and
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