We’re looking at the exchange between Jesus and the disciples from John Chapter 21 (in the postscript), and how it relates to our mission in life.
We’re told this exchange occurs after the disciples had already seen the risen Lord multiple times. And yet they go back to the ordinary and familiar task of fishing the waters.
St. John Chrysostom notes this is because they had not yet been given the fullness of the Spirit and their great commission. St. Augustine notes they “became what they were before, fishers, not of men, but of fishes.”
The disciples knew the Lord was risen, but they didn’t yet understand their part of the mission. In that idleness, they return to what they know.
So many times we find ourselves waiting on the Lord. Perhaps we know our mission (which is to say, our vocation) but we we’re not certain of God’s will for the next moves we should make. Or perhaps we’re still discerning our overall mission in life. We’ll look more at both of those scenarios on Monday, but for today the focus is what we do while waiting.
Waiting is very difficult for us humans. Especially in our instant-gratification culture – it seeps into all of us. When the path forward isn’t clear it’s easy to give in to impatience and rush down any old path that presents itself. Or, to give in to frustration and despair. Or, to give in to sloth and all manner of unhealthy diversions.
This is, yet again, where St. Ignatius steers us to safe harbor with his “5th Rule.” When in doubt – when we’re not sensing God leading us down a clear path forward – we should do just two all-important things. First – stay the course. Don’t make changes just out of impatience or despair. Second – stay faithful to God, trusting that He’ll guide us when the time is right.
St. Augustine also notes there was nothing wrong with the disciples returning to fishing – they had no other “orders” and, so, returning to their natural means of providing was perfectly fine. They were probably hoping and expecting something more fulfilling after Jesus’ resurrection. And they certainly weren’t enjoying being up all night and catching nothing.
But they stayed together and stayed the course.
And in the end their nets were filled to bursting.
On Monday we’ll look more at specifics about understanding our mission.
The latin for “mission” is missio. Closely related to the word for the Mass – missa. Whenever we’re looking for clarity on our mission in life one of the best things we can do is listen for the Lord where we know He will be found – in the celebration of His Mass.
Blessings on your journey with Christ –
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior LIfe
Postscript: John 21:1-19
At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
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 number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”