Brothers and sisters, it is human nature to slip backward. Even after seeing the empty tomb, Peter and the disciples in today's Gospel d...
Brothers and sisters, it is human nature to slip backward. Even after seeing the empty tomb, Peter and the disciples in today's Gospel decide to go back to what they know best. Peter says, "I am going fishing." It is a story of human frustration and divine provision, captured in three words: Night, the Net, and Nourishment.
First, we see the Night. The disciples get into the boat and fish through the dark, but they catch absolutely nothing. They are exhausted, frustrated, and empty-handed. This is exactly what happens in our lives when we try to do things without God. We work long hours, we stress over our finances, we try to fix our family problems relying purely on our own intelligence. We toil in the Night, and we end up with empty hands and empty hearts.
But as dawn breaks, Jesus stands on the shore. He tells them to cast the Net over the right side of the boat. They don't know it is Him yet, but they obey. Immediately, the Net is so full of large fish—153 of them—that they cannot even pull it in. John realizes what is happening and shouts, "It is the Lord!" The difference between an empty net and an overflowing net is simply obedience to the voice of Christ. When we stop relying on our own strength and start doing things God's way, He provides an abundance we cannot even imagine.
Finally, they drag the net ashore and find Nourishment. Jesus has a charcoal fire going, with fish and bread already cooking. He invites them, "Come, have breakfast." He nourishes their tired bodies. In our first reading, we see the result of this nourishment. Peter, the fisherman who caught nothing, is now standing in front of the high priests, fearlessly proclaiming that Jesus is the cornerstone of salvation.
My friends, are you tired of fishing in the Night? Are you exhausted from trying to control everything? Hand the Net over to Jesus. Listen to His word, let Him provide the Nourishment at this altar, and watch how He fills your life. Amen.
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