Friday in the Octave of Easter
“I am going fishing,” St. Peter says to his brothers.
They catch nothing until Jesus appears in the morning and gives them a tip. They catch nearly more than they can handle.
Often when we are struggling spiritually we lean into what is familiar, what is comfortable. Perhaps only a week or more ago Jesus had appeared on the night of His resurrection and said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you,” and He gives them the Holy Spirit, as well as the authority to forgive sins (John 20:21-23). He sends them; where do they go?
Fishing. Is it any wonder their efforts are fruitless? For they were not sent to go fishing; not at least for anything living in the sea. Rather they were called and sent to be “…fishers of men…” (Matthew 4:19); notice when they obey Jesus and cast their net where He suggests, they are successful in their efforts, with the number of fish representing the whole of humanity they are meant to “fish” for Christ.
How often do we fall back onto old habits, interests, and identities, even after Jesus has called us into something more, something different? Is it not likewise that the old things, while they might comfort us to a degree, no longer fulfill us since we have come to know Jesus? Jesus is always moving forward; even if His call might be intimidating, might seem impossible, do not go back, do not turn away from the future He has opened up to you. Just as St. Peter was called from the shores of the sea to fish for men you, too, were made for more.