THE WORD TO THE WISE = EARLY FOR TRAVEL

[RB Williams, OP]

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026  FRIDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

[Acts 4:1-12 and John 21:1-14]

     When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but  the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?"  They answered him, "No."  So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something." So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the large number of fish." [John]

     This passage recounts the final post-resurrection appearance of Jesus in the Gospel According to John.  It is referred to by scripture scholars as the "Johannine Appendix] because it appears to have been added somewhat later in the history of the text and seems modeled somewhat on the story of the call of Peter, related in the Gospel According to Luke. [5;1-11]. Indeed, later on in the scene, Jesus seems to confront Peter, perhaps for his betrayal: "Simon Peter, do you love me?"  The vivid details of the story - failure to at first recognize Jesus, the number of fish, the fish cooked and eaten, etc. - can distract from the principal figure who is the Risen Lord.

     The success of our own mission to bear witness to the Good News of the Risen Lord depends on our faith in the Lord who tells us where to cast our nets.  He is standing on the shore when we feel we are getting nowhere in our efforts.  Like the other gospels, the Gospel According to John was written for our encouragement.  He has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us.  Our recognition and faith in him and our proclamation of that faith is powerful.  As he said earlier at the Last Supper, "Without me, you can do nothing." [John 15:5]  AMEN