There was a line in today’s Gospel that stood out to me. Simon Peter drags the net ashore, full of one hundred and fifty-three large fish and “though there were so many, the net was not torn” (John 21:11). I wondered, Why did they include this detail? What’s so special about that? Why does this matter?
It makes sense that this was surprising considering how many fish they caught, but I really wondered if there was more to it than that.
For example, could it mean that when we’re carrying the load that God intended for us that He’ll give us strength, too?
I could use that.
Could it mean that we will ultimately reach the states in our vocation we are pursuing—that we just need to put ourselves out there and follow His lead, and He’ll come through?
I could use that too.
Or am I looking for something that’s not there with this? I don’t know, but I know that Jesus wants us to ponder these things. He wants us to listen to His voice about where to fish—I mean, grocery shop—or to consider His will about how we spend our time or our energy.
Even the most mundane tasks are places where we can consider His voice and how He’s calling us to think, to act, to speak. And I think He also wants us to know that He may surprise us.
He may surprise us. // @praymorenovenas Click To TweetHave you heard the sermons from our Blessed is She live-streamed Masses?
Annie Deddens is a writer and producer. She runs a prayer ministry with her husband, called Pray More Novenas. She has a heart for the sick & suffering, and she writes about living with greater faith (hope & love, too) in this imperfect world as a Catholic wife. You can find out more about her here.
Thank you for this. I was telling my son this story earlier this week so to have some input for myself is great. These are difficult times and the burden does seem great, but I love that God will give us strength. Leaning on my heavenly Father so much at the moment.
Amen.
“The Lord asks us to set out for him. He asks us to become fishers for him. He asks us to trust him and to act according to the guidance of his word.”
-Cardinal Josef Ratzinger (now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI)
What a blessing it is to come across this page while I was searching for a better understanding of indulgence. I read this too and thank you for your insight. People are through unprecedented difficulties at this time and I believe God will never give you anything more you than your can handle.
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