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Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 21:1-19

“Children,” the Resurrected Jesus calls to His disciples from the shore, knowing full well that they have fished all night long with nothing to show for it, “have you caught anything to eat?” When they reply that they haven’t, He advises them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. Playful. Preposterous. Why should it matter which side the net is on? Of course it doesn’t really. What does matter is listening to and obeying the call of Christ no matter how ludicrous the method or impossible the outcome seems.

When the net fills with fish, John realizes Who it is, Peter crashes onto the shore, and there they find Jesus...cooking fish. Even so, He invites the disciples to add their fish to His meal.

Here we see two things: one, Jesus does not need our efforts for Himself. He is perfectly capable of finding fish or speaking one into existence. And yet He invites us to collaborate with Him. He asks us to give our catch to Him so that we may sup together. He asks us, as He did Peter, to share in the tending of His sheep, which, for so many of us, begins with little lambs at home.

He even asks us to share in His passion. For Peter, this meant a literal crucifixion. For us, it probably won’t be a literal one, but there will be thousands of small ones along the way. Getting up in the middle of the night with a sick child. Letting oneself be dressed when we are infirm. Choosing to be as meek as a lamb rather than vehemently defending ourselves when in an argument with our spouse.

The entire Christian experience is an intimate dance with the Lord: fishing together, supping together, tending together, suffering together. Where that starts is attending to the tasks of our vocation with ears alert for the call of the Lord and following His lead even when it seems absurd.

 

Ponder:

 

Do I live my life as an intimate dance with the Lord? If not, what is holding me back?

 

Pray:


Lord Jesus, I desire to live my life in union with you in all things: in work, in leisure, in suffering, and in joy. Open my ears to Your call and give me the grace to heed Your words.

 

Click to tweet:
The entire Christian experience is an intimate dance with the Lord: fishing together, supping together, tending together, suffering together. #dailygospel

 

Daily Gospel 4

Copyright 2022 Amanda Woodiel

About the Author

Amanda Woodiel

Amanda Woodiel

Amanda Woodiel is a Catholic convert, a mother to five children ages 14 to 6, a slipshod housekeeper, an enamored wife, and a “good enough” homeschooler who believes that the circumstances of life—both good and bad—are pregnant with grace. Her oldest son was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2022, which is providing plenty of opportunities to test that hypothesis.