VII.
As you read (… and rest in … and … meditate on … ) this passage again, pay close attention to Jesus. What does he do? What does he say? Who does he interact with? Why is he here with these seven of his followers?

VIII.
John 21:1-14 (NRSVue)

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 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.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to 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 because there were so many 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 outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish 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 fifty-three of them, and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

IX.
One quick item – Sometimes folk who talk about forming disciples of Jesus speak of the importance of “small groups” like they invented the idea of “small groups” or at least discovered the importance of “small groups” in discipleship formation. Well, it seems Jesus already knew the benefits of interacting with folk in “small groups.” Just a thought.

This group of Jesus’ disciples have “returned” to fishing and have had an unsuccessful night of it.

Jesus standing on the shore joins them, asks about their fishing success then gives them some fishing advice.

They do not recognize him at first then one of them realizes it is Jesus speaking to them.

They all eventually join Jesus on the shore and have breakfast.

Why do you think this pattern of not recognizing Jesus’ presence then recognizing them is being repeated in these post-resurrection appearances of Jesus?

What do you think leads the “beloved” disciple to recognize Jesus?

Try to recall a time in your experience when you did not initially recognize God’s nearness and then did sense it. What helped you or led you to that realization?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}