Jesus showed himself again to the disciples

Morning light on the shore of Lake Galilee with the rosary on the rocks in 2016

The Sea of Tiberias or Lake Galilee is the setting of the Gospel this week taken from John 21:1-14. Jesus after the Resurrection showed himself to the disciples on the shore of the lake. As per usual, they did not recognize him at first but after a brief interchange and a request by Jesus to throw out the net again and the subsequent haul of fish, the beloved disciple said to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' I can't help but catch the joy and consolation expressed in those words and the depth of love in Peter in his nakedness to almost forget everything and jump into the water and make for Jesus on the shore wanting to be close to him. Isn't that our desire too? When things in our lives aren't going the way we would like to realize that we can't go it alone. That we need to see Jesus, hear and respond to his voice, 'jump in the water', whatever that is for us, and be in communion with those around us and with him on the shore responding to his invitation to 'Come and have breakfast'.

A lovely memory for me when I was a pilgrim to the Holy Land in 2016 was waking up early and going down to the shore of the lake and ringing Mum back in New Zealand wanting to share the gift and privilege of being where I was. Mum loved the Rosary and wanted me to place a set of beads at all the holy and significant sites to bring back to her.

It reminds me of our call to prayer to pray especially at this time for the successor of Peter as Cardinal John has encouraged us with the recitation of the Litany of the Saints. Our Gospel story is timely given what is occurring in Rome.

I have chosen for you today, 'You are the Son' inspired by my time visiting the Sea of Galilee from my 'Holy Land' album.

Blessings on your week