As we draw closer to the end of the Easter Octave, today's gospel passage reveals the humanity of the disciples. Knowing that those first followers of Jesus were very human makes it easier for us to see ourselves as modern-day disciples because even though we may be aware of the Lord's gifts of joy, hope and generosity that are awakened within us by the Resurrection, there is always room in the human heart for doubt.
Saint John tells us today that six of the disciples were together one day and Peter said to the others: I'm going fishing (Jn 21:3) and they all agreed to go along with him. Could it be that they wanted some recreation, or was this a sign that these six men who had once known the excitement of a new adventure had actually given in to doubt? Even for the most committed of disciples, there are always days when we might be tempted to turn away from the task that Jesus entrusts to us: the task of sharing his joy and his love with those we encounter, the task of telling them about the excitement we have experienced as we have gotten to know him. This happens when we give in to the temptation to follow the wisdom of the world rather than seeking the freshness of the gospel.
Even though we may be tempted to turn to worldly sources of satisfaction, the miracle of Easter is real. Jesus meets us in the midst of our doubt, just as he did with the disciples. Standing on the shore in the early hours of the day, Jesus asked a question: Children, have you caught anything to eat? (Jn 21:4-5) In these words, Jesus calls to us too. His words ring in our hearts: have you found answers to your questions? Have you been able to satisfy your thirst with the offerings of this world? If we are truly honest with ourselves, we will answer him with one simple word: No, because as much as the world around us might try to lure us away from our faith, the answers we might find in other places are most often shallow and incapable of responding to our deepest desires.
Thankfully, Jesus is always willing to show us the way. When the disciples had come up empty-handed, he simply invited them to cast the net again (cf Jn 21:6) but this time listening for his directions, following his advice. When we allow him to lead, we will always find the answers to our questions. Let us not be afraid to ask Jesus to help us today. He alone can direct our thoughts and actions. He alone can show us where he needs us to throw our nets, and he alone can fill those nets with responses that will fulfill our deepest desires.
Have a great day.
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