Daily Thoughts: In today’s Gospel
we encounter the final five verses of John’s Gospel. As we have journeyed
through the Easter season we have retold the stories of Jesus’ meetings with
the disciples after the Resurrection. Drawing on yesterday’s Gospel in one such
story Jesus helps the disciples catch a large number of fish and in doing so he
gets their attention after which they gather to have a little breakfast. Having
nourished themselves Jesus then challenges Peter three times with the question “Do
you love me?” What we read today is the final call of Peter and only Peter.
In the early part of John’s Gospel,
Jesus, is followed by two of John the Baptist’s disciples. In the story Jesus turns
and asks the two men perhaps the most important question of John’s Gospel, “For
what are you seeking?” The two men reply by asking Jesus where He is staying. Jesus
extends the invitation to, “Come and see.”
Jesus does not say, “Come and find out”, or “Let me tell you everything
you ever have wanted to know about everything.”
Jesus simply invites these two men as he will invite others and all of
us for that matter, to some, to see and so believe. This is Jesus’ ongoing
invitation, the challenge of being people of faith throughout our journey of
life. In John’s Gospel, believing is
seeing the “signs” so that believing beyond “signs” will be what it means “to
follow”.
So John’s Gospel ends with Peter’s
having seen enough “signs” including the catching of 153 fish after catching
nothing, apart from Jesus, during the
darkness of their past night. Perhaps when looking back at the disciple who
Jesus loved, Peter is asking for another “sign”, a companion whom Peter could
trust for support. Jesus indicates that this disciple has his own calling as
does Peter, as do all of us. Peter’s calling is to trust in his friendship with
Jesus throughout the rest of the story, the end of which Peter does not know.
These final verses are a summary
statement of all that Jesus has done throughout his time on earth. It is a
summary of all the “signs” that are there to be seen and all who can see the “signs”
are no longer blind, they believe, they have faith, because of having seen,
because they have encountered Christ. As John says there were many events in
the life of Jesus, but those that have been written down are just the right
amount for Peter and any reader of the Gospel.
With the coming of the Spirit we are
given the gift of faith which is a variety of vision by which we look or and
receive “signs” of the presence of Jesus and of His calling us into the beyond,
into the unknown of our tomorrows. We, like Peter, will always want assurances,
companions, and more “signs” to make believing a little bit easier. God gives
us just the right amount of what’s good for our own response.
Have a great Saturday everyone!
(My
thoughts today are adapted from a reflection on today’s Gospel by Fr. by Larry
Gillick, S.J.)
Daily Prayer: O, God, to know
you is life. To serve you is freedom. To praise you is the soul's joy and
delight. Guard us with the power of your grace here and in all places. Now and
at all times, forever. Amen. (Adapted
from a prayer by St. Augustine of Hippo)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “Run when you
can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” (Dean
Karnazes)
Daily Blessing: Saturday greetings
and blessings everyone! I hope your Saturday has begun well and that you are
enjoying the beauty of God's creation wherever you are on this Memorial Day
weekend. It is a beautiful sunny day here in Pelham and by all accounts it will
last throughout the day. I know there are some part of the country dealing with
difficult weather, storms, floods and drought. I pray that the beauty of God’s
creation will soon touch your days too!
My prayer of blessing is that this will
be a day blessed in God's presence, grace and love. That it will be a day bless
with wonderful experiences, safe travel, if you are traveling, and the rest and
relaxation that will help you to enjoy the gift of your life! Remember to be
safe as your celebrate this weekend especially if you are on the road traveling
and please don’t forget to give God a little time this weekend. It is Memorial
Day weekend a time when we remember all who have served our country and give
their lives in that service so take your remembrances to God in the form of a
prayer. Peace in Christ's Passion and Joy in the gift of the Holy Spirit...Fr.
Paul
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