Today’s Gospel is the resurrection account in which Jesus meets Peter and some other
disciples while they have gone fishing. They seem to have returned to their way of life before being called by Jesus. They have had a frustrating night, catching no fish.
Jesus appears to them, initially unrecognised, and offers them advice they have heard before, “cast the net to the other side”. This time the catch is overwhelming. At this moment, the beloved disciple realises that it is Jesus at work. He remembers their initial call when Jesus made the same request, resulting in the same miraculous catch. Can you picture the look on his face when he remembers his call and recognises the action of Jesus in the miraculous catch?
What about in your own life? How does Jesus reach out to you? What signs and gestures he makes appeal to you, soften your heart, and convince you to give your life to him? What was your miraculous catch? Relive that moment now; recognise
that the risen Lord is standing at the seaside, even now, calling out to you.
You may be, like the disciples, stuck
in the mundane moments of life and failing to realise that Jesus is calling you. It may be helpful to reenter into those moments when you felt close to him, and you felt his call. This may help you to realise that he has not left you alone, that he has not stopped calling you.
Once Peter realises that it is Jesus at the shore, he does not hesitate to swim out to him. He is eager to be with Jesus, to see him, hear him, and feel his embrace once more. How do you respond to recognising that Jesus is calling out to you? Do you hesitate? Do you dive
in?
