He is with you

Today’s Gospel Text:  After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe'ri-as; and he revealed himself in this way. 2 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. 3 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.  4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." 6 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. 7 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. 8 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.  9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." 11 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. 12 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. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. John 21:1-14

Reflection: We are now in a quandary, if we read the post resurrections scenes and this is one of them: Did Jesus engineer their absolute no catch situation?

Whole night they struggle and not a single fish in their net.  How can that ever be? How can God be so hard hearted at these poor fishermen and make them struggle the whole night until dawn in order to just show them a simple miracle?

Or could it just be a coincidence that they did not catch a single fish and then Jesus appears to perform a miracle?

The truth is this: God is the absolute master of every situation, especially to those who have put their trust in him.  For them, his working in their lives, no matter how hard and difficult is no small thing, but it is always and in all situations will be a mighty working of his power and might.

The Dedicated Disciples experience one such love action of God; for each time they experience the hide and seek of God it proves what the beloved John communicates in the Gospel:

“…… when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1

God loves us that is the reason he allows these trying moments and difficulties so as to accomplish something greater. He is accomplishing his mighty works in you when he testing your faith.

This reason Peter the Apostle exhorts the early Christians, to those who believe, he does all these things so that their faith, which is more precious than silver or gold, may be tested in the fire and purified:

    

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Prayer: Lord, let me never lose sight of you each time when I am walking in the valley of darkness. Let me count on your assurance that you are with me with your crook and with your staff.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us