Information
Text: by Thomas Merton (in Hinne Wagenaar, Blessed Simplicity, 166)
Bible reading: John 21: 9-14 (NBV and Fryske Bibel)
Music: "Ubi caritas" and "Tu es Petrus" by The Stanford Chamber Chorale
Kleaster morning Wednesday, April 14, 2021
The lives of Peter and his friends are back to square one. Jesus has been murdered. The dreams of a new life and the ideals of a new world have been cruelly disrupted. What are they to do now? Then back to square one, back to life before Jesus. Back to being fishermen. But despite all the sweat and toil, there is no catch, no yield. They toil in the dark and the elements are against them: wind, waves, darkness. Then they receive advice from shore to cast their nets across the other bow. And they catch fish in abundance. Apparently the best mate here is indeed on shore, in the light of early morning.
When they go ashore, they find a charcoal fire on the ground with bread and fish on it. Everything is apparently ready to share, receive and eat. But Jesus asks, "Bring also some of the fish you have caught. They are handed food on the bank, but their own yield matters. It must be added! No matter how difficult our existence sometimes, no matter how small the yield may seem, no matter how dark the night: our contribution matters.
For reflection, if you are asked "bring some of your produce," what do you bring?
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