Apr 17 - Easter Week Friday

+ In the gospel passage we see the third appearance of Jesus to his disciples after being raised from the dead. It is a very visual story of Jesus standing on the shore of the lake, where Peter, James and John and some others had been fishing all night – catching nothing. But at this “stranger’s” advice they cast their net over the right side of the boat and caught a huge load of fish – they could hardly get it into the boat. Then John shouted: “It’s the Lord!” Who else could have caused such a wonderful thing to happen? When they got to the shore, they counted the fish: 153 – a very large amount – and then because they were still in a bit of a shock, Jesus said to them, come have a fish breakfast with me! And He fed them – again – with bread, and fish! It is one of Jesus’ great joys to feed his disciples – then and now – with what they need physically and spiritually!

In the first reading – we see Peter again – not too far in time after the fish breakfast – addressing the high priests in Jerusalem and telling them that the one they had been instrumental in crucifying, Jesus, is the one who has been raised from the dead –  he is the Christ - and he has been seen by many! He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone! Peter tells them there is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved. This was true on that day in Jerusalem, it is true now, and it will be true until the last person born on earth hears it!

Great things happen when associating with this risen Lord of glory – a great catch of fish of all kinds and varieties is possible – and the ability of enduring in life whatever is irksome, challenging and sorrowful is raised to a very high level! In Jesus is all our hope, our joy and our peace!

This is indeed a great message for us who are dealing moment by moment, decision by decision, locality by locality, nationally, and part of the international community of brothers and sisters with the great scourge for nature that is visiting us: the Coronavirus. This “particular” fish that we are dealing with is exceedingly challenging – but, because of the Death/Resurrection events of Jesus – it is already taken care of – but that “taking care of” necessitates our active alertness and participation in the remedy for it: the disease itself is telling us what it loves and thrives on: so we need to use our heads, wash our hands, stay at home, and engage our hearts in praying for everyone else who is dealing with the same thing.

Actually this whole scene in the “history of mankind” that we are all starring in, demands our cooperation and active measures in NOT FEEDING THE VIRUS WHAT IT WANTS: feed it instead DISTANCE, HOT WATER AND SOAP, and FACE MASKS – and let us correlatively pray that the TESTING MECHANISM is ramped up as quickly as possible – or any attempt at venturing forth will only precipitate new pocket outbreaks, all over the place.

This whole thing reminds me of a movie I saw decades ago now: GREMLINS – that scared the living daylights out of me – we must STAY PUT – so the CORONA-GREMLIN can’t find us. It’s as simple as that!

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.         By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes! And he alone is our victory, our health, and our peace! Amen.