A Fisher of Men

I held back tears behind my closed door.

I had been home less than a day and had lost it already with my kids. After spending the weekend on retreat intimately aware of God’s love for me, I was struggling to integrate my new resolutions into my life. Calling on the Holy Spirit for help, I went out to apologize to my kids, determined to open myself to His grace.

In the today's Gospel of John 21:1-14, Saint Peter has been away from his trade for three years. Instead of fishing, he has been continually with Jesus. He witnessed Jesus’ healing power in countless miracles, was sent to preach and heal others in Jesus’ name, and marveled in the glory of the Transfiguration. Yet when put to the test, he fell asleep in a garden, denied his relationship with Jesus, and left Him to suffer and die. The Resurrection, however, has restored his hope.

Peter, back in Galilee with several other Apostles, decides to fish. Fishing is a thing he knows. Maybe fishing clears his head. When the morning comes, they have caught nothing—a familiar experience for Peter—and suddenly the Lord is on the shore telling him to cast his net again. Peter, recognizing Jesus in the miracle, flings himself out of the boat and runs to Jesus. He knows he is useless without the Lord’s help.

When we meet Peter in the reading from Acts, he is no longer the fisherman catching nothing all night. He is the bishop acting as Christ on earth and catching men. He does this because he opens himself to the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent after His Ascension.

Sister, Jesus wants the same in your life. Think back to a time where He felt especially close—on a retreat, during a Holy Hour, or even several years of close relationship with Him. And then look for Him in your life now, in your every day. Where in your life is He standing on the shore, calling for you to cast your nets and to trust in the Holy Spirit? Respond to that call. He is waiting.

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Holy Spirit, help me open wide to You.

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About Susanna Spencer

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Susanna Spencer holds a master's in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and is the Devotions Editor for Blessed is She. She is a freelance writer and editor and a teacher. She lives with her philosopher husband, three teen daughters, one pre-teen son, and a miracle baby girl in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She loves reading theology and novels, attending beautiful liturgies, cooking delicious food, and casually following baseball. She is the author of the Gospel Studies including Seek His Kingdom: A Meditation on Matthew , Listen to Him: A Meditation on Mark, Preach in His Name: A Meditation on Luke, and Abide in His Love: A Meditation on John. She was the contributing author and editor for our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. She was the Theological Editor of the Blessed Conversations Studies. Find out more about her here.