Healing Wounds

Gospel: John 21: 1-19

The disciples had a bad run of late.  They betrayed the Lord, denied they knew him, abandoned him during his trial and execution, and failed to believe those who saw Jesus raised from the dead.  Now these disciples have returned to their former way of life as if nothing at all had happened - even after they had seen the risen Lord and received the Spirit from him.  

But in spite of all these things, the Lord Jesus appears once again to them.  At first they do not recognize him, but once they have a remarkable catch of fish they are aware that it is Jesus.  At shore they find that Jesus has prepared a meal of fish and bread for them, a meal of reconciliation and healing.  What is more, after the meal Jesus asks Peter simply if he loved him.  Whenever the disciples fail, Jesus does not withdraw from them, he does not exclude them from table.  Instead, he always moves toward them, inviting them to the table.

Imagine what our world would be like if we acted like the Lord Jesus.  Imagine what the Church would be like if we acted as the Lord.  The world desperately needs expressions of mercy and love, reconciliation and forgiveness.  The example of the Lord Jesus must inspire us to provide this love, mercy, and reconciliation in the world today.