reversal

Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118 The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone; Jn 21:1-14


IN our first reading we find that Peter and John are both being arrested and held in custody for preaching in the name of Jesus. So much for religious freedom.

Nonetheless the state of reversal is quite obvious. Things have changed for the apostles. They went for scared and timid, fleeing the scene where Jesus was arrested, to now standing up and in the midst of opposition they preach.

No fear. No worry. Just action.

Being arrested for proclaiming Jesus doesn't stop them from being witnesses but rather it enhances the witness, making it more meaningful, more attractive, more effective.

The harder our circumstances the greater the witness.

We look to the gospel.
Peter and the boys decided to go fishing. This was their default. This is what they knew. Was it their attempt to return to their old way of life? Maybe they were unsure of what to do next and needed to clear their head?

A little breeze and a little fishing goes along way to just recalibrating one's life.

Then the encounter came.

Peter upon realizing in was the Lord who awaited them in the beach, he tucked in his garments and jumped in to the water. Splash!

Why the tucking in his garments? The Jewish faith understood the greeting to be a religious act so to do it properly one needed to be clothed. Peter was preparing to greet the Lord.

Upon arriving we hear that invitation, "Come, have breakfast."

Even in his resurrection, Jesus remains a servant.

St. AUgustine states the following,
"In Christ everything was working for His resurrection."

Yet the resurrection did not affect his identity as a servant leader.

"Come, have breakfast."

What a breakfast that must have been for the apostles gathered on the beach. What joy, what happiness, what strength.

Jesus did't berate them for their faithlessness. He didn't scold them for abandoning him. He simply offered them a opportunity to sit and eat and be strengthen thus surprised by the joy of his presence.