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It must have occurred to many readers over the centuries to ask why the disciples would want to go fishing again. Had they not already experienced the mystery of the resurrection, Jesus risen from the dead? Indeed, had they not left their boats and nets to follow Jesus about three years earlier? We can easily imagine the scene some time after Easter Day. John has already told us that Jesus had appeared to the assembled disciples in the upper room, and even that He had appeared to them a second time eight days later when Thomas was with them. At His first appearance, He granted them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Yet, somehow, it seems there was "unfinished business", and they were uncertain how to proceed. Going back to their work of fishing appears to have given them the space they needed in which to come to terms with all that had happened. The disciples were learning, in their own way, that there was no use in hanging around waiting for God to come. The best thing was to return to an ordinary life. It was there, in the daily life situation which they knew best, that they again encountered the Risen Jesus. Lord Jesus, come to us where we need You most, the circumstances of daily life. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That in the many rapid changes taking place in today's world, the importance of the family may be recognised in its fundamental vocation as cradle of life and school of faith and right values
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The family as a domestic Church and cradle of life is the appropriate setting in which faith can increase. It is here that faith can be nourished through an attitude of appreciation of the treasure which parents are called on to transmit to their children through personal words and testimonies of life. This attitude must then be nourished with a sense of wonder and hope and it must be contemplated as Mary contemplated it in the face of the Word she received and the events of her life. This deep sense of faith helps parents and their children to fulfil the vocation received from God. Parents, teaching their children and bearing witness to the true sense of suffering and dying, lead the young to be more attentive to all forms of suffering. They, thus develop positive attitudes of assistance and sharing with others, especially with weaker people like the sick and the aged. This life of faith must be continually nourished through individual and family prayer. On the strength of this foundation the family becomes a place for training in justice, self-control, temperance, respect for the personal dignity of each individual and the service of the poor and needy. | |
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