25 Apr
Fri
Friday of Easter Week
Acts 4:1-12
Ps. 118:1-2,4,22-27
Jn. 21:1-14
(Psalter proper)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 

Today's gospel gives us a glimpse of Jesus' great love and understanding of His followers as He leads them to a deeper faith. The Apostles are downcast after Jesus' death and Peter invites them to go fishing. Then after a long night with no results, they suddenly see a figure on the shore. They don't recognize Jesus at first but He addresses them as "friends" and they respond to His invitation to cast out their nets once more. Suddenly they have a large catch of fish and John, the beloved disciple, recognizes that it is the Lord. Then we have that lovely scene on the shore where Jesus is waiting for them by the charcoal fire with breakfast cooking. Then He took the bread and gave it to them and the same with the fish.

There is so much symbolism in this scene and I'm sure so many reminders for these fishermen. Their first call to leave their nets and become fishers of men.

At the multiplication of the loaves and fishes they shared what little they had but when Jesus blessed it and broke it so many could be fed. None of them dared ask 'Who are you". They knew it was the Lord. Had they now at last learned the lesson that Jesus not only died, He was risen and was with them? Many times it is in the ordinary events of our daily lives that we too meet Jesus. He comes to us in little unexpected ways if we have eyes to recognize Him.



Father, help us to recognize the Risen Lord in whatever way He comes to us.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That those who hold positions of responsibility in the Church may offer a shining example of a life which is always responsive to the guidance of the Spirit.
Elaboration

- END -