Words with conviction to spread the joy of the Gospel

April 22, Friday, Octave of Easter
Daily Readings: Acts Acts 4:1-12, Gospel: John 21: 1-14

Seven of the 11 disciples have gone back to their old profession, fishing. Did Jesus anticipate that they would meet up? They must have felt hopeless, as they feared they had lost Jesus with the crucifixion. And back to their fishing business, it looked like they had wasted the whole night, having caught no fish.

As their hope was receding further and further, the risen Lord walked into their hopelessness, appearing as an expert fisherman's guide to point out to them what they should do. From that small gesture, a new chapter in their lives opened up. We can only imagine what the new realization "It is the Lord" must have done to them.

Peter quickly got back to his new version of himself as he wore his clothes of loyalty and trust. In the end, Jesus decided to have a quiet meal with them all, cooking with charcoal fire, fish, and bread in an atmosphere of overwhelming silence and tying the knot of their old relationship. They had their first Paschal meal on the seashore.

Peter has now resigned from his position as a fisherman for good. He has become the most confident spokesperson of the risen Lord, with an unmatched spontaneity of oratory. Mind you, he is standing before those who can imprison him. He is making it clear to them why the miracle of the lame man, now standing before them all, why what they were doing; it was all because of one person, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He is not dead. He is alive now, here, in us, in you, in all. Jailor, no jail, the truth needs to be said and spread, and no one on this earth can stop us from doing what we are doing.