Create a peaceful space to pause, and allow yourself to feel God’s presence alongside you, as near to you as your own breath. In following the reflection below, as a church we will draw closer to God and to one another as we grow in faith and deepen our sense of belonging to God.
John 21: 1-9 ‘Jesus’ Meal with his Friends’ (abridged)
“I am going out to fish” (said Peter).
“We will go with you.” (they said).
But that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning Jesus stood on the shore,
but the disciples did not realise it was Jesus.
“Throw your net on the right side and you will find some.”
“It is the Lord!”
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
After Jesus had risen from the dead some of the disciples returned to Galilee and went fishing. It had been a long night with nothing to show for it. The disciples were tired, frustrated, disappointed and hungry. Then this ‘stranger’ on the shore told them to try again – the best catch ever! They recognised Jesus – their risen Lord. He knew his friends well. He resolved their disappointment and frustration with a great catch of fish. He fed their hunger with a cooked breakfast. He satisfied their longing by being with them again.
Jesus knows us, his friends, and our needs today. Frustrated at being in lockdown and disappointed at not being able to enjoy the spring, but if we open our windows or, if we can, go into the garden, we can watch the growth of even just one tree in the street or a plant in the garden. The town is quieter and we can hear the birds even if they are mainly herring gulls and wood pigeons. Through friends and family, on-line delivery or the once a week shop, there are food and provisions available now, but check the sell by date! Most of all we have the opportunity to spend more time in Jesus’ company by extending our quiet time or follow up the Easter reading of Mark’s Gospel with a slower reading of another book of the Bible perhaps saying out-loud.
Jesus knew his friends, the disciples, he knows us, his friends today and seeks to meet our needs too if we let him. But he will not be making a barbecue for us on Eastbourne beach lest he be arrested again!
Prayer:
Dear Lord and Father,
you are all powerful, all knowing, beyond our understanding,
from everlasting to everlasting yet you care for each one of us.
You know each one of us by name.
You know our individual needs and concerns and as we turn to you,
you are there for us: loving us, feeding us through your Spirit,
and wrapping us in your untiring arms. Thank you, Lord.Help us to reflect your love and care in all we do and think and say.
This we pray in the name of Jesus, Your Son, our Saviour. AMEN.
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Reflection and Prayer © 2020 Gillian Wood.
A printable version of this Daily Devotional can be downloaded from here
All material reproduced by permission under CCL 1226356