The Gospel scene is idyllic. The sun is rising above the lake. Jesus is standing on the shore. There is a fish roasting on the fire and maybe, even, the great smell of morning coffee! The apostles are delighted at the presence of Jesus and with the big catch of fish. Then, for Peter at least, a cloud momentarily covers the sun and a chill breeze springs up. Gently Jesus reminds him of his failure in courage in the Garden and hints at other trials to come.

Peter doesn't fail the next time. In Acts he faces down the formidable religious authorities telling them "we must obey God rather than man."

The reading from Revelation recalls for us in the words of one commentator "how the acclamation of large numbers of beings of every class and the elders act of prostration recalls the honours given to the Roman emperor. The offering of these honours to God and the Lamb rather than the emperor reflects John's vision of the conflict between the rule of God and the rule of Caesar" (Jerome Biblical Commentary).

Jesus will be with us in the conflicts that arise when God calls in one direction and other forces call in another.