The Catholic Calendar for Friday, April 1, 2005
Friday in the Octave of Easter

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 4:1-12
Psalm 118:1-2,4,22-27
John 21:1-14

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. . ."

Alleluia, He is Risen! May this Friday in the Octave of Easter be a source of great blessing to you!

Today we learn of the greatness of the Lord in a way we may not completely understand. Early in the gospels of Matthew and Mark, Jesus invites the apostles to join Him and says that He will make them "fishers of men." While John does not record this incident, there is no question that he knew of it and counted on his audience knowing it.

Here, Jesus leads them in fishing and as a result, they haul in a catch beyond their greatest expectations. The haul is so huge that it should break and tear the nets, yet is does not do so.

The fishing net is the Church itself, the direct descendants of the apostles, our bishops and priests, and even the lay people of the Church are the fishers. When we follow Jesus' instructions, we will bring in such a catch that it would seem that all could not fit without destroying the net. But the Church is truly catholic, there is room for every human being and the net will not fail. This is the promise of Jesus Christ, this is the promise of our Christian Baptism. This is the promise of salvation. All are invited in, and the net is strengthened with the strength of God himself to assure that all will be able to remain.

This is what we celebrate as we celebrate Easter--salvation is for everyone, but God needs the fishers to spread the nets--the net of the Church and her teachings in Scripture and Tradition--that all men might be caught up in them. We are the fishers. We are God's voice, and face, and hands, and arms to those who do not yet know him. So be bold when casting your nets and help God pull everyone to the Salvation wrought for us by His death and resurrection.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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