188. Thursday after First Sunday after Easter.
Teach us to say with all our heart:
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
but unto thy name give glory. Amen.
John 21, 7-14. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
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John, the apostle of love, has the clearest vision, and is the first to recognize Jesus. His writings also bear witness to the depth of his knowledge of the Lord. The eye of love sees more clearly than any other. Peter, however, is at all times the most ardent and courageous. On the morning of Easter day he was the first to enter the sepulchre. The other five disciples who are in the ship quietly ply their vocation of drawing the net. This episode has been interpreted as illustrating the diversity of gifts with which the Lord’s people are endowed. One has the tender love and the clear eye of John; another has the zeal and courage of Peter; while still others have their strength in the quiet, patient endurance with which they follow their humble vocations. — We have here also a picture of the work of the apostles and the whole church for the saving of souls, according to what the Lord himself said on the occasion of that former draught of fishes by Peter: “From henceforth thou shalt catch men.” (Luke 5, 10).
However, what we especially want to impress upon one another as the lesson of this gospel is the declaration of John: “It is the Lord.” It is the Lord who says: “Cast the net on the right side of the ship.” The Lord has commanded all his disciples to cast the net of the word. The Lord sent the apostles out into the world; and the same Lord has sent you, who are now engaged in casting the net of the gospel out into the sea of humanity and down into the depths of the heart. You would not have been his witness, if the Lord had not issued this command to his church: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” It is the Lord who has made you one of his witnesses. — Furthermore, it is the Lord who makes the draught a successful one. When a minister of the word is given grace to add many converts to the number of the saints, the honor belongs not to him, but to the word of God, which he preaches. Let him beware of priding himself on his achievement; for it is not his own. Let him also beware of despising others who are engaged in the same work, but who seem not to be equally successful. It is possible that they may be working more patiently and faithfully, even though they do not draw a multitude of fishes to the shore. If the Lord were not with you in his word, you would accomplish nothing; when you do, “it is the Lord.” When we lose heart let the spirit of John whisper into our soul: “It is the Lord.” Then shall we gather courage anew. When we become slothful this word shall inspire us with fresh zeal; and when we are puffed up it shall humble us. Truly, it is the Lord who has given you your work, if you are a servant of Christ; and he is with you, and blesses you.
To the apostles of infidelity the world cries out: “Cast the net on the left side, on the banks of human reason, and draw many with you away from the faith.” But is this of the Lord, do you think? These apostles want no Lord; they wish to be their own masters. They do not know that their inspiration comes from their Lord below.
Grant that we may hear thy voice, and know thee, Lord Jesus. Give us charity and wisdom and faithfulness in thy work, and give us grace to save many souls by means of thy word. Amen.
Baptize the nations; far and nigh
The triumphs of the cross record:
The name of Jesus glorify,
Till every kindred call him Lord.
God from eternity hath willed,
All flesh shall his salvation see;
So be the Father’s love fulfilled,
The Savior’s sufferings crowned thro’ thee.