From the Daily Lectionary for Friday in Easter Week
John 21:1-14
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Another resurrection appearance; this time in John’s Gospel. The scene is back in Galilee, where Jesus’ ministry began. The disciples are coping with the trauma experienced in Jerusalem, and they are doing what they know how to do. They’re going fishing. Back to work. Life goes on. The story of the ‘great catch’ also appears in Luke, but Luke places the story at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, at the calling of his disciples. Apparently, this story had become legendary among the early followers of Jesus. In Luke Jesus tells his disciples that he will make them fishers of people. In John, the miracle serves as testimony to the risen Christ, even though, at first, he is unrecognizable. Isn’t that odd? Luke and Matthew also say that at first the disciples failed to recognize the risen Jesus.
So, as the faith pertains to the resurrection of Jesus, recognition is required of those who will follow. Where do we recognize the risen Christ? John gives us a clue: In the hospitality of a meal; in the nurture of our neighbor. Later in this encounter Jesus will tell Peter three times to “feed my sheep.” The scribes of John’s Gospel call such nurture, ‘befriending’… that is to say, that we live for the good of our neighbor, lives of sacrifice. And amid such a practice we encounter the risen One in the flesh.
We recognize the risen Christ in our very midst in the breaking of bread. The Eucharist is a dramatic representation of this profound reality. We recognize the living Christ in hospitality and welcome; in sacrifice for the other… not in some otherworldly vision… but in the very common iterations of our lives. There is nothing more sacred than gathering for a meal, particularly when we invite the stranger. At All Saints we have invited strangers to join us for breakfast; at times that has been uncomfortable for some of us… but is it possible that amid such hospitality, we welcome the living Christ? The next time we gather for breakfast in Stirling Hall, pay attention. It is all about paying attention… recognition. May we, good seekers, have the vision to see… and the courage to proclaim: “It is the Lord.”
A Prayer of Self-Dedication (BCP p. 832)
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
