Eight Days Later

Scripture

Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. …. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’…. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ (John 21:2,9,12-15NIVUK) 

Eight Days Later 

We like to tell and hear stories from family and friends, even when we’ve heard them before because they help centre us on who we are and where we’ve come from. We learn our values from stories that reveal character or flaws – my family have a long list of stories that reveal my many flaws. We like stories because they connect us to inside jokes and shared losses that help us face the next challenges that come along. 

In moments of sorrow and loss there are often spontaneous outbreaks of laughter at a story that connects us with the lost loved one. In our faith life we retell the stories of faith not because we are idiots but because the stories connect us with One who has gone but is still present. His stories give life to our present relationship with the God who resides and grows in us in Jesus.  

The story of Jesus’ inviting his tired and confused friends to have a shore breakfast probably happened eight days after his resurrection. His words and actions speak over and over to me about how I can experience Him in my life centuries later. He sees them working hard and takes time and energy to get a fire going, fillet fish and get everyone seated around the grill. 

Jesus moves gently among them to feed them as they hold out hungry hands and later takes time for individual conversation about future ministry and life challenges. This morning I hold out my hands to invite Jesus to feed me with his life and show me how to serve others in the same way.   

A Prayer for Today

Jesus, when you had nothing else to give, you gave yourself. And as your friends shared and ate, they were confused and complicit, just like all of us. May we give – our lives and confusions; our hollowness and our hearts – because when we give like this, we are like you, who became like us. Amen  (Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community Padraig O Tuama)