NAMING GRACE IN THE DOMESTIC CHURCH
  • Home
  • About Naming Grace
  • Message
  • Favorites
  • Events & Videos
  • Contact

I'm Going Fishing!

4/10/2016

Comments

 
Third Sunday of Easter
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041016.cfm
 
“I’m going fishing,” is my husband’s favorite verse from Scripture. Mike loves the open lake, sun on the face, water glistening, waves lapping against the boat, and casting out his line. Even when the catch is scant, it’s always a good break from the stresses of the day.
 
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Peter declares, “I’m going fishing.” No doubt, Peter had an over-the-top stress-filled week, including the denying and abandoning of his Master. Maybe, just maybe, getting back to his livelihood—a little normalcy—could relieve his stress—and shame. Perhaps he could catch a few fish and gain a little control over his life. Yet Peter and the other disciples come up empty. Then, with the early morning sun, rises a tender, loving voice: “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” And then the instructions, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat.” How strange for someone from the shoreline to instruct seasoned fishermen on casting nets. Yet, out of sheer exhaustion and failure, Peter obeys.
 
This time, Peter casts out into the swirling, Spirit-filled, life-giving waters teeming with grace and mercy. This time, Peter obeys God rather than self, and the catch overflows with forgiveness, peace, abundance, and new life. Though simply on the other side of the boat, everything has changed—the Lord has risen—the Sea of Tiberias has been transformed into the Sea of Mercy. Then with such intimacy and friendship, Jesus invites them to share in a meal around the warmth of a charcoal fire. He wishes to feed the disciples with fish, bread, and divine presence. “Come, have breakfast.” Mercy, grace, abundance.
 
The essence of an abundant Christian life rests upon casting our nets into the living waters of grace and mercy rather than relying on our good works, expertise, knowledge, and success. We cast out in weakness, vulnerability, sinfulness, and sorrow; through Jesus, we haul in nets swelling with love, forgiveness, and joy. We obey God’s instructions and we are filled with the Bread of Life.
 
As parents/grandparents, we name grace each morning we rise and sit by the charcoal fire of our hearts to be fed by Jesus. We name grace as we feed our children—our own little sheep—with God’s word and our tender care. We name grace when we teach our children, through words and action, to obey God rather than self. We name grace each time we bring our children to the Eucharist to be fed by Jesus’ Body and Blood and teach our children to feed others through presence and service.
 
Not long ago I was experiencing a particularly stress-filled day trying to meet the demands of work, family, taxes, etc.; my heart longed to go fishing and leave everything behind. Instead, I paused, closed my eyes and imagined resting by the charcoal fire, warming my hands, basking in Jesus’ calming presence while enjoying freshly grilled walleye and toasted bread. That moment fed me for the rest of the day. In this Year of Mercy, let’s go fishing and cast our nets—far and wide—into the Sea of Mercy in order to feed the hungry around the charcoal fire of God’s abundant love. Now, that’s good news!
 

 
 
 


Comments

    Reflections

    The blog on this page presents reflections on the Sunday readings through the lens of a parent/grandparent, aiding leaders of the domestic church in their vital task as “first heralds” or “first preachers” of the Good News in the home.

    VIEW FAVORITES

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Naming Grace
  • Message
  • Favorites
  • Events & Videos
  • Contact