I can see the clipping from the Synagogue Bulletin in AD 33: "Risen Lord holds a Fish Fry for his followers on the seashore in Galilee. Don't miss this delicious opportunity next week. For more information, just show up!" A silly question would be, "Why have a Fish Fry now? Isn't Lent over?" (Oops! Living at that time, Lent wouldn't have happened yet!) Was this a bulletin misprint? Would it be safe to gather with him in the open like this? Could not the Romans or Jewish authorities arrest us even now?
Well after letting my imagination run above, I realize that the real story did not happen that way. In fact, his disciples did not even know that they would see him again and be treated to this delicious meal. He called to them from the shore and told them where to fish. They saw the 153 large fish they had caught, they knew it was Jesus who directed them to that fishing spot. At his invitation, they had breakfast with him. This was just one of the many times Jesus revealed himself to them, to help them regain their faith and trust after his suffering and death. He understood the confusion and sadness that had paralyzed their very souls. His presence time and time again, was reassuring to them. That is how they knew for sure that he was alive. That was how they knew for sure that all he told them had been true.
This can happen to each of us who gives time to prayer and gives time to being in his presence. We will be convinced of his love and understanding. We will be among the millions of others who believed without ever seeing him or hearing his human voice. Prayer gives another certitude that no one can take away. We may not have had the horrible experience of watching a loved one be ridiculed and crucified, but we have borne other terrible sufferings that left us devoid of hope. He knows that and he understands the coldness of heart that we experience at these times. He wants to lift us up.
Prayer is an invitation. It really is a feast of sorts. And all we really have to do is "just show up." When my soul is frozen stiff from life's difficulties, there is always a warm fire being tended by Christ, waiting for me to come over and be refueled with hope and courage. I know I need this. Do you?
Well after letting my imagination run above, I realize that the real story did not happen that way. In fact, his disciples did not even know that they would see him again and be treated to this delicious meal. He called to them from the shore and told them where to fish. They saw the 153 large fish they had caught, they knew it was Jesus who directed them to that fishing spot. At his invitation, they had breakfast with him. This was just one of the many times Jesus revealed himself to them, to help them regain their faith and trust after his suffering and death. He understood the confusion and sadness that had paralyzed their very souls. His presence time and time again, was reassuring to them. That is how they knew for sure that he was alive. That was how they knew for sure that all he told them had been true.
This can happen to each of us who gives time to prayer and gives time to being in his presence. We will be convinced of his love and understanding. We will be among the millions of others who believed without ever seeing him or hearing his human voice. Prayer gives another certitude that no one can take away. We may not have had the horrible experience of watching a loved one be ridiculed and crucified, but we have borne other terrible sufferings that left us devoid of hope. He knows that and he understands the coldness of heart that we experience at these times. He wants to lift us up.
Prayer is an invitation. It really is a feast of sorts. And all we really have to do is "just show up." When my soul is frozen stiff from life's difficulties, there is always a warm fire being tended by Christ, waiting for me to come over and be refueled with hope and courage. I know I need this. Do you?
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