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.
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, 1-14
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.
After days filled with fear and a couple of encounters with the risen Jesus, Simon Peter has gathered enough courage to return to his daily life. Seven of Jesus’ friends get into the boat and go fishing but they don’t manage to catch anything.
I look at the seven friends and I try to see what is happening in this story. I see how the men gather the courage to go fishing again. I look at their faces after a night of hard work. Despite the hard work they were unable to catch any fish. I feel their frustration, discouragement and disappointment.
*
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!” 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.
The disciple whom Jesus loved recognised Jesus. Through the eyes of love, the eyes of a child, he was able to see the risen Christ. Peter received his insight with great joy. He leapt into the water. Faith, hope and love have returned! Have I ever experienced moments like this in my life?
*
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.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Jesus’ friends understood that it was the Lord. In the midst of their daily lives they stood face to face with the risen Christ. They have perceived God’s promise of new life: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43, 19) After this meditation I will go back to my own daily life. What do I hope to be able to perceive in the coming days? Lord, awaken my gentleness once more!
*
Music: Wek mijn zachtheid weer