Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me perceive and receive your provision…

 
John 21:1-14

 
Like his Heavenly Father and his step father, Joseph, before him, Jesus was a good provider for his family. In the dim light of predawn, the disciples were disappointed, bringing up yet another empty net for the umpteenth time that night.  Like their nets, the hearts of Peter and his friends were empty. Things were no longer the same. even though their Lord has risen from the dead. They could never count on him being present and it seemed that a good meal and relaxed conversation with Jesus were things of the past.  But as the rays of sun warmed the landscape they noticed a lone figure on the beach tending a fire and calling out to them to throw their nets over the other side of the boat. With John’s exclamation, “It is the Lord!” everything changed. Nets became full, souls swelled with hope, and Peter put on his clothes (!) to jump into the lake and swim to shore. He was the first to notice the char-broiled fish and bannock baking over the fire; that indeed Jesus had been busy fishing, making bread and burn a fire down the coals,  preparing and providing a hearty Shore Breakfast for them, just like the old days.  Like Peter and his fishing friends - particularly during transitions in our lives - we too are often weary and discouraged by the emptiness of our ‘nets’, our occupations, and the emptiness in our lives and hearts.  But let us remember with the dawn of each new day,  that the Creator of all things in the person of Jesus has access to all people, places, and things to fill us with food for our bodies and souls – if we will but respond to his invitation to sit down and ‘have breakfast’ with him.  Will I pull up on the beaches of my life and take time to ‘break the fast’ of emptiness, to take in the food and friendship that Christ Jesus prepares every day for me? Christ Jesus, help me perceive and receive of your provision.
 
I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.   (Psalm 27:13)
 
In everything, whether it is a thing sensed or a thing known, God himself is hidden within.
St. Bonaventure
 
Soli ad gloriam
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