Readings:
Acts 4:1-12
John 21:1-14
Reflection:
Our Lenten Season began with Ash Wednesday, and many of us journeyed with many resolutions and firm affirmations at the beginning of Lent. As our journey continued, many of us had let-go attitude, and few of us mellowed down on our resolutions. Where do we stand a few days after Easter? Do we remain as we were or better through our journey of Lent or worse than before?
In the Gospel, we read Peter went back to fishing. Christ is no more physically present; walking, talking, and remaining with Him is not the need of the hour. So, let’s go back to what we were doing. Being a leader was so powerful that others followed Peter as soon as he asked for their company. Fishing being a profession and in the company of other expertise resulted in the night-long hard work resulting in empty nets.
Adhering to the voice of Jesus and doing exactly what He tells them to do results in an abundance of fish and leaving everything for Christ. Peter, the leader, realised the voice of the unknown and followed even though he was a good fisherman. He left his boat and went towards Jesus. This is what each of us needs in our life. We have moments of going back; we have moments of following a leader blindly and forgetting the presence of Christ. Once our Lenten journey helps us hear Christ, realise Christ, and do what Christ wants us to do, we no longer think of returning to our former selves. We have no need to follow the wrong leader. With Christ, we have everything, and without Christ, we are nothing.
Sony Marsilin Kannanaikal CP is a Passionist priest, he lives at St.Joseph’s Community, Hobart.