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      John 21 : 12

Reading for this week : John 21 : 1 - 19

Thought for the week

After His Resurrection Jesus appears to the disciples out fishing. It is a picture of paucity, of human need. The disciples have gone back to what they know. Yet they have caught nothing. Maybe in the great story of Easter they are not sure how they fit in now. They are not sure how things have changed.

Yet this is ultimately about God’s love. Jesus speaks one to one with Peter, asking repeatedly, ‘Do you love me?’ Even when the catch of fish is so huge Jesus does not need to comment. The disciples remember this is about the Kingdom bursting the nets. So many filled with the abundant love of God. So many lives changed. The Lord meeting us in our everyday lives.

To make the point, Jesus serves breakfast. This is what His love is. Meeting with us. Sitting with us, amidst wood smoke and sizzling fish. Bread and listening from the one who is the Bread of Life, the source of love and mercy and new beginnings.

Is our view of Easter big enough to embrace our every day? Do we know the love of God that is so immense the nets are almost breaking and the possibilities are overflowing. Jesus is Risen! This is new life for every day and always. 

Rev Paul

A Prayer for this week

O God, you come to us in unexpected places

In isolation, behind closed doors

On dusty roads, as we go from place to place

In video chats with friends and telephone conversations with loved ones.

You come bringing us peace, where there is no peace

You come bringing us hope when everything seems hopeless

You come bringing us courage when we are afraid.

Come and be among us now, in every place where we are.

Open our eyes to see you, open our hearts to know you.

In the name of the Risen Christ we pray. Amen

~ by Ann Harbridge, DLM, Minister at Trinity Centennial United Church in Rosemont, Ontario.