21 April 2017 - no other name

[ Today's Readings ] 

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."
They said to him, "We also will come with you."

It can't just be back to business as usual once we've seen the risen LORD. Just like before we knew him it turns out to be leave us empty.

So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.

Fortunately, even when we try this, Jesus still comes to us and enters into our lives and circumstances.

So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something."

We lose ourselves in our work and responsibilities and forget about the resurrection. So Jesus comes to meet us in these very places. He shows us what his resurrection means, not only in general or in abstract, but here with us.

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord."

He reveals himself to us. His presence in our lives spills over. There are too many fish for just us. We have to share what we receive. And when we do so people notice.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them,
"Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.

Jesus enters into our lives with the power of his resurrection. His name is the only name that saves, the only name that makes any real or lasting difference. We must not reject him, for he is the cornerstone. The structure doesn't hold together without him. We must proclaim his name to our own spheres of the human race so that everyone can see how wonderful is his everlasting mercy. They are tired of building things destined to collapse. Let's ask Jesus to show them the wonders of his love.

By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.