FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
Acts 9:1-22
Rev. 5:11-14
John 21:1-19*
Psalm 30:4-12
I know I reversed last Sunday with this Sundays text, looked at the
wrong line. This chapter of John relates the third time Jesus appeared
to his disciples after He was raised from the dead. This appearance
took place in Galilee, where Jesus performed the miracle of the catch
of many fish.
All of us know the importance of eating both as pleasure and
nourishment for the tasks and routines of everyday life. The image of
feeding is important in today's gospel. Jesus invites the disciples to
have breakfast with Him after Peter hauls in a large catch of fish. The
menu of bread and fish calls to mind the occasion when Jesus fed a
great multitude of people with a few fish and loaves of bread. When we
hear of Jesus taking the bread and giving it to the disciples it
reminds us of . . .
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
Acts 9:1-22
Rev. 5:11-14
John 21:1-19*
Psalm 30:4-12
I know I reversed last Sunday with this Sundays text, looked at the wrong line. This chapter of John relates the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after He was raised from the dead. This appearance took place in Galilee, where Jesus performed the miracle of the catch of many fish.
All of us know the importance of eating both as pleasure and nourishment for the tasks and routines of everyday life. The image of feeding is important in today's gospel. Jesus invites the disciples to have breakfast with Him after Peter hauls in a large catch of fish. The menu of bread and fish calls to mind the occasion when Jesus fed a great multitude of people with a few fish and loaves of bread. When we hear of Jesus taking the bread and giving it to the disciples it reminds us of the similar action in the Eucharist.
After the disciples are fed Jesus tells Simon Peter that his ministry is to feed others. Jesus asks, and Peter responds, three times to the question of whether Peter loves Jesus, Jesus then tells Peter: "Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep." For Peter, living the resurrection means attending to the flock entrusted to him by Jesus. Being fed by Christ lead to feeding others.
In the Word and in the Eucharist, Jesus feeds us with God's gifts of mercy, forgiveness, and love. Yet we are fed that we might feed others with what we have received. Surely it means sharing our bread with those who have none. It also means sharing the gospel, the spiritual nourishment that we receive from Christ, the Word of God.
Christian friends, great joy is found in the presence of God and in feasting on the abundant gifts of God's grace. It is like enjoying a wonderful meal and celebrating the good things of life.
The King of love my shepherd is
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Important tasks are set before us, Christ is risen, and feeds us with His very life that we might be the bread of life for a hungry world.