One of the great gifts that we are given during these initial days of the Easter season is the ability to see life through the eyes of the first disciples of Jesus. In their words and actions, we see weakness and doubt but we also encounter the great consolation and encouragement that Jesus provided, especially at the moments when they were most vulnerable ... and this gives us hope too.
A number of the disciples were talking together one day, not long after the day of the Resurrection. Even though some of them had already heard stories of the risen Jesus appearing to others, and even though some of these had themselves experienced the joy of seeing and touching him, they were still filled with desolation. Simon Peter said to them: 'I am going fishing' (Jn 21: 3). Peter had denied knowing Jesus because he was fearful for his own life on the night when Jesus was arrested, but he had seen the empty tomb and he had heard the testimony of Mary Magdalene. He had also been present when Jesus appeared to his disciples in the evening hours, when he had allowed Peter to touch his hands and feet ... and still, Peter was not entirely convinced.
These few words are very revealing: they tell us that those disciples were so distraught that they were ready to go back to their old way of life - to fishing - rather than to believe that what Jesus had told them was true and that their lives ... their mission was different than it had been before. They were probably very practical folk in this sense. All kinds of questions would have entered their minds: how are we going to live? How are we going to be able to earn a living? Where are we ever going to find enough money to feed ourselves, much less to be successful? Do we not ask ourselves such questions? Do we not doubt, even though we might have had many occasions to encounter Jesus in our own faith lives? Are we so different from those first disciples?
So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. It is always this way. When we set out to accomplish our own desires, when we choose to leave God out of the equation, we often come up empty handed, but thankfully Jesus always finds a way to break through our desolation, to remind us that he is never far away. At dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore (Jn 21: 4) and called to the disciples. He knew that they would have been further disappointed, having spent the entire night out on the water and having caught nothing, so he pointed out another possibility, he encouraged their hearts and made it possible for them to be joyful again.
Like those disciples, we too can easily move from experiences of joy and celebration - when our hearts have been gladdened and strengthened, when we are encouraged by the knowledge that Jesus has overcome death and risen to new life - but we can just as easily fall into desolation and doubt when it seems as though our hearts are not as jubilant as we would like them to be. Jesus is never far away. He is always ready to encourage our hearts and to strengthen us. Eventually, he made it possible for Peter to find the courage to speak boldly about his belief, even to the leaders, elders and scribes (cf Acts 4: 5). If Jesus was able to give such a gift to Peter and John, he is most certainly able to give this gift of fervent faith to us as well. Let this be our prayer today: Lord, grant us the gift of fervent faith so that we may be your faithful disciples today. Amen.
Have a great day.
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