John 21:1-14
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ 6He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. 8But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ 11So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
And so our fishermen returned to what they knew, they thought their time with Jesus had ended and were at a loss. So, they fished, maybe it was a comfort to hold those old oars and nets. Maybe there was some bitterness on their tongues that they thought Jesus would truly change everything and then he died. But no fish were caught. They felt useless again and after such a fruitless night a stranger on the beach commanded them to try again. I wonder how Peter was able to hold his tongue. And just as they started, a miracle occurred, both of fish and the Risen Lord standing before them! So they joined in breakfast together, one of celebration but also sustenance for a new horizon.
Prayer
Gracious Host, you prepare a meal before us and share the meal of life. As a foretaste of that heavenly banquet, you ask of us to serve you and your world. May the sustenance of a meal together, whether a breakfast of fish and bread or common elements of our own tables, be ones that feed both our stomachs and our hearts to be your disciples in a world changed. Amen.
