There are four stories in this Sunday’s postResurrection Gospel: the appearance of Jesus to the disciples, the large catch of fish, the meal, and the commission of Peter. The sight of the Risen Lord to the weary and defeated fishermen-disciples should have had all the emotion of a reunion with loved ones, but only John (“the disciple whom Jesus loved”) recognized Jesus. Far from disappointed , Jesus does what Jesus does – he gives abundantly, and the disciples haul in “a net filled with 153 large fish.” The nighttime of emptiness becomes the dawn of fulfillment because of Jesus.
We encounter Jesus in his providence and love for us when we receive blessings, consolation, peace, and “our daily bread.” Imagine meeting the Lord and hearing him say to you, “Come, have breakfast.” What would you say? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t we be offering a meal to Jesus? But that’s not the way it works. Jesus is so generous, so loving, and so hopeful about us, that someone like Peter — who denied Jesus three times — can become “the rock” after he thriceproclaims his love for Jesus.
We are all invited to allow the Lord to feed us and send us on mission. Why not invite someone who has been away from prayer, church, and a friendship with Christ to have breakfast with you. (Nutritionists say it’s “the most important meal of the day.”) Tell him or her about your experience of Jesus feeding you: in word, in Sacrament, in the gift of blessed ones in your life. Tell of the times you experienced Jesus saying, “I love you.” Then invite that person to go where Jesus is sending him or her, and offer to go on the journey, accompanying with prayerful support. It might be the best meal you’ve ever had, and you both might wind up in Heaven where breakfast with Jesus never ends!
Yours in the Risen Christ,
Welcome to the Saint Aloysius! Our parish was founded in 1896 to serve the Catholic families that were settling in the greater New Canaan area.