Week 26 - The Lord is Risen!
Theme introduction
The Lord is risen! Jesus’ life seemed to have ended in a complete failure. But now He appears to his disciples in new and surprising ways. And He appears to me as well.
What I may wish to ask for
That I may become more aware of the presence of the risen Lord in my life.
Preparation
I become quiet and let go my thoughts and preoccupations. I become present in the now.
Jesus appears to seven disciples (John 21: 1-8)
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
Imaginative Contemplation
I imagine myself to be in the boat with the other disciples. I make use of all my senses. What do I see? What do I smell? What do I hear? How do I feel?
Then I imagine toiling all night without catching anything. How does that feel?
Are there areas in my life which feel unfruitful to me?
I hear a voice of a stranger saying: “Children, you have no fish, have you?” How does He look like? How does his voice sound? How do I respond?
Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some. How do I feel about this suggestion?
Do I feel called to cast my net on the other side? What would that look like?
I imagine the reaction of the disciples, and my reaction, when I feel the weight of the net.
“It is the Lord!” It is in the unexpectedness of their catch that the disciples recognize Jesus. Is Jesus surprising me in one way or another? Do I recognize Him?
Finishing the prayer
I finish my prayer with a conversation with Jesus. I talk to Him as I would with a close friend.