Daily Gospel Reflection for April 10, 2015

Today's Gospel: John 21:1-14

In today’s Gospel, there are these words: “Bring some of the fish you just caught…Come have breakfast.” The words moved our hearts in a way that we’d like to share with you.

What came to mind first was the t-shirt that Fr. Roderick Vonhogen used to give to listeners to his daily morning podcast. The t-shirt had the words “Breakfast with a Priest” on it. In addition to the morning show that Father Roderick did, the shirt is a reminder that every morning since the time of this original story in John’s Gospel, Jesus still waits to have breakfast with us. In fact, through the action of the priest, Jesus not only offers to feed us, he becomes the food for the journey of the day.

But how might we consider the words of Jesus about bringing the fish to him in the morning? We have a couple of thoughts. First, is there someone who would come to Mass with you if you issued an invitation to pick them up and to take them to Mass? In the action of doing this, you become ‘Christ’ to them and you, too, are feeding the person that you bring to Mass.

Next, is there a person who doesn’t go to church at all who is waiting to be ‘caught’ by your witness and testimony? Is there a person who would respond to this as an entrée? “I’ve started going to daily Mass and, each Friday, I especially take the prayer intentions for others with me. I pray for them, and I wondered if there’s anything you’d like me to pray for for you?” Few people would be offended by this, and some might outright be ‘caught’ by this offer.

Day after day, week after week, God’s word feeds our mind and heart and nourishes us in new and previously undiscovered ways. Similarly, the Body of Christ is our physical and spiritual food each day.

Come have breakfast!

Ponder:

Consider having ‘breakfast with God’ every day... start attending daily Mass, and you may soon realize you don’t want to start your day any other way.

Pray:

Dear Lord, I thank you for all Your shepherds (our priests) who have said “yes” to their vocation, and who help us strengthen our faith and help us to grow in our knowledge and understanding of Your Word. Amen.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Deacon Tom Fox