John 21:1-13 (NIV)

1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

Reflection:

“Because of what has been made known in Christ, no time can again be regarded as ordinary in the sense of dull or commonplace … What we deem ordinary, God has transformed into extraordinary by his divine grace.” (Laurence Hull Stookey)

We see the disciples going back to their ordinary, old way of living. But Jesus comes onto the scene in surprising fashion, and the excitement begins. Within an instant, nets that were once completely empty from a night’s work are now unable to haul in the enormous number of fish. At that very moment, the disciples are struck with the reality that it is indeed the Lord!

Often times, we find ourselves caught up in the ordinary, daily grind of living. We revert back to fishing ‘again’, forgetting how Jesus has redefined what fishing is for us. God’s call is always voicing His Presence with us and the blessing found in following him. And it is in this place, this reality, this realization that we will see and live in the extra-ordinary, amazing, incredible, extraordinary calling that we have received!

Responding to the Transmission:

Today, may our eyes be opened to see the amazing reality that the Lord is with us. May our ordinary daily grind be transformed into His extraordinary call to follow. Let’s spend some time today in prayer, soaking ourselves in His presence, being reminded of who we are following. And let’s ready ourselves to bring in the harvest as we throw down our nets on the other side of the boat.