Divine Assistance

I am going fishing. (John 21:3)

Jesus’ resurrection left the disciples with much to think about. And yet, for all that had changed, today’s Gospel reading shows that some things remained the same. Peter and the others still had to eat. They still had to take care of their families. And, wonder of wonders, they still could rely on Jesus to work wonders in their lives.

This wasn’t the first time that Jesus helped Peter and the others with a miraculous catch of fish. A similar thing happened at the very beginning of their discipleship (Luke 5:1-11). But now, at the end of their time with him, just as he is about to send them out to preach and build the Church, Jesus shows that he has no intention of leaving them alone. He may be ascending to heaven, but he will still be with them. He will continue to open up new and brighter horizons for them.

Many of us have examples of God having worked in our lives in the past. Perhaps it was a dramatic healing or conversion. Maybe it was a gradual sense of his presence that changed our way of thinking. Maybe he helped us mend a broken relationship. These are all wonderful experiences that we should treasure. But they’re not the end of the story! Today’s Gospel tells us that when God steps into our lives, things change—and they keep on changing. Step by step, milestone by milestone, the Holy Spirit works to bring us closer to Jesus. Even the ordinary, everyday aspects of our lives can take on new and deeper meaning—simply because of God’s presence. 

Is God stepping more deeply into your life right now? Yes! As much as he has done already, he wants to do even more. He wants to give you a greater sense of belonging to him. He wants to strengthen the friendships you have that are founded on him. He wants to guide you in your work and in your family. Every day, he asks you to cast your net into the sea of his grace so that you can receive deeper and deeper blessings.

“Jesus, I know you have more to give me. Help me not to be satisfied with what I already have. Lord, I want to be a generous receiver of your grace!”

from wau.org