Reading 51
Breakfast on the shore
The reading
John 21:1-14
After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.
But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.
But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord. Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.
The companions
Psalm 107:23-31 (selected)
Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters; these see the LORD’s deeds, and his wonders in the deep. For he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up its waves. They mount up to the sky; they go down again to the depths. Their soul melts away because of trouble. Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distress. He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because it is calm, so he brings them to their desired haven. Let them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds for the children of men!
Ezekiel 47:9-10
It will happen, that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, will live. Then there will be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters have come there, and the waters of the sea will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river comes. It will happen, that fishermen will stand by it. From En Gedi even to En Eglaim will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be after their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceedingly many.
The note
Peter says he is going fishing. Six others go with him. It is what people do when the thing that organised their life stops making sense: back to the work you know how to do. They are out all night and catch nothing.
At dawn there is a man on the beach. He tells them where to put the net, and the net fills.
Now look at what is waiting on the sand. A fire, already burning, before they got there. He was set up in advance, and he does not open with the failure. Peter had denied him three times, recently, and swims for shore, and gets no reckoning at all.
One more detail. He has everything ready and still says: bring some of the fish which you have just caught. He does not need their catch. He asks for it anyway.
This week
Someone near you is having their empty night: the job hunt with no replies, the project that will not land, the long stretch where nothing works. Do not open with advice and do not open with what went wrong. Get there first and have something ready — turn up, do one concrete thing. Then leave them a real part in it. Ask them to bring what they have, however small. Being included is most of what is being offered here.
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (public domain). The divine name is rendered “the LORD” in the Psalm.
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