April 13, 2012
Friday within the Octave of Easter
By Melanie Rigney
(Peter told the high priests:)“There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. (Psalms 118:22)
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead. (John 21:12-14)
PIETY
Jesus, I pledge to make more time for You this Easter season.
STUDY
That morning after Peter and the others had fished for an entire day with no results, Jesus was likely the last thing on their minds. They were hungry and disappointed in themselves. Many were, after all, fishermen by trade. They didn’t realize it was him until after he’d bidden them to put the net in one more time. Jesus didn’t berate them for lacking faith or for not recognizing him. He didn’t lecture them. Instead, he said, “Come, have breakfast.”
A simple invitation.
We’re heading into another crazy time of the year, preparing for Mother’s Day, Holy Communions, high school or college graduations, summer travel, birthdays, weddings, and on and on. But we lose something when we focus too much on the future (although I wouldn’t advocate waiting much longer on those Mother’s Day brunch reservations). We reduce the opportunity that something wonderful and spontaneous can happen, such as an impromptu breakfast invitation with a beloved friend or teacher, and increase the likelihood of spiritual starvation when our lives are overstructured and overcommitted.
The great thing about Christ is that He comes to us in many forms and friends and acquaintances; He finds a way to meet us wherever we are. The even greater thing is that He keeps inviting us no matter how many times we say, “Sorry, I’m just too busy.”
ACTION
Have breakfast or lunch today with Jesus, just the two of you.
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