Week 30 - Face to Face

Theme:

Unexpectedly the risen Christ shows himself.

One after another his friends feel how close He is.

They are comforted and are able to see

how new life unfolds.

What I may wish to ask:

That I am able to recognize Jesus as my Lord

and see how He can give me new life.

I place myself before God who is looking at me with gentleness.

Music: Voor de zevende dag Huub Oosterhuis (For the seventh day)

Wek mijn zachtheid weer.

Geef mij terug de ogen van een kind.

Dat ik zie wat is,

En mij toevertrouw,

En het licht niet haat.

Awaken my gentleness once more.

Give me back the eyes of a child.

So that I see what there is

And entrust myself

And won’t hate the light.

Spotify Link:

https://open.spotify.com/track/2b41wbDvtTwyxLhfvTd9Kp?si=47276e7ae73d4303

YouTube Link:

https://youtu.be/eDTEeLhXASM?si=7mG1JzOXpg568rrU

John 21, 1-13

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe′ri-as; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan′a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb′edee, and two others of his disciples were together. 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.

Peter returns to his old way of life – fishing, during the night, without Jesus. But despite all his efforts the net remains empty. He occupies himself with what he knows, but it doesn’t bring life. Do I recognise that in my own life? That I carry on, on my own, groping in the dark – and just don’t achieve anything?

*

 

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on 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, for the quantity of fish.  That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”

He is already there even before the disciples recognise Him. He addresses them, gives direction – but only when the nets are filled, when life returns, do they see that it is the Lord. If I look back at my own life, when did my nets become filled again? In which momemts did hope return, a way to go, life? And who was standing then on the beach – who gently showed me the way to go, spoke a meaningful word, shared the light?

*

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang 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, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

Peter sprang without hesitation, full of trust, into the water. On the shore there was no judgement waiting for him, but a simple charcoal fire, fish and bread – signs of caring and closeness. Do I have the courage to look with the eyes of a child, amazed, open, without suspicion? Am I able to see in everyday, ordinary events – a meal, a gesture, a quiet fire – the signs that He is present?

*

Music: Wek mijn zachtheid weer.