his mercy on our mess
"All through the night they caught nothing." —John 21:3
If a detective looked at the list of fishermen in today's Gospel reading, he would have several questions:
- Assuming the disciples referred to here are apostles, where are the other four apostles?
- Where is Andrew, a professional fisherman and Simon Peter's brother?
- Why are two disciples not named? (see Jn 21:2)
As we read between the lines, it is probably safe to say that the apostles are in disarray. Peter is leading those disciples who will follow him back into the fishing business where they worked before they knew Jesus (see Jn 21:3). Rightly, some apostles did not follow Peter's lead.
Jesus had mercy on the apostles in their sin, emptiness, and confusion. He intervened and gave them simple commands by which they could follow Him out of darkness into the risen life.
Your life and family may be in disarray. The more you try to improve the situation, the worse it gets. The risen Jesus wants to have mercy on you. Repent; proclaim your love for Jesus (see Jn 21:15ff); make the decision to follow Him (see Jn 21:19).
Jesus is our Hope — our only Hope. "There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved" (Acts 4:12). Thank You, risen Savior!
Prayer: Father, lead me out of the darkness. Lord, have mercy!
Promise: "Many of those who had heard the speech believed; the number of the men came to about five thousand." —Acts 4:4
Praise: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it" (Ps 118:24). Praise the rejected, yet risen Jesus, the Savior of the world!
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, October 17, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 21, 2002