April 10, 2013

 Today’s text

John 21:4-7

When it was already light, there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, 'Haven't you caught anything, friends?' And when they answered, 'No,' he said, 'Throw the net out to starboard and you'll find something.' So they threw the net out and could not haul it in because of the quantity of fish. The disciple whom loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' At these words, 'It is the Lord,' Simon Peter tied his outer garment round him (for he had nothing on) and jumped into the water. 

Reflection

There is enough and always will be enough.

Sometimes one knows without knowing. Nothing in the outer world changes, no word is spoken bringing new information, but quiet settles on the heart because it knows there will be enough.

Enough of what the heart needs to be happy, to live in peace, to smile and know that life is good and grace endures everything in this life and extends to the next. Sometimes you just know.

Today is a day of knowing.

Jesus stands in the light of new morning, eternal morning. To see him there is to enter the morning that lasts forever, to taste and know you will have what your heart needs and there is no need for anxiety about anything.

But Jesus friends do not yet see him. They have labored hard but have caught nothing. Throw the net to the other side, he yells.

I guess you need to know where the fish are to get what you need.

Or perhaps you just need to know where Jesus is. Perhaps you just need to see him standing in the light of morning waiting for you.

The great catch of fish is a symbol of the many nations that will be caught up in Jesus because his friends go tell the story of who he is. But first it is a story of emptiness and fullness.

It is the story of the emptiness of those who need him and the fullness that comes when we see and know that, in him, the fullness of God dwells and from him we will receive what our hearts require … and more.

I don’t know why Peter put on some clothes and threw himself in the water when he realized Jesus was standing on the shore. Some suggest his shame over denying Jesus overcame him, and he had to cover himself--or try to drown himself to escape it.

I prefer to think he couldn’t wait to get to morning.

Pr. David L. Miller