First Reading: Acts 4:1-12; Psalm: 118. R. v. 22; Gospel: Jn 21:1-14

LEVERAGING ON OUR TURNING POINT MOMENT

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

When we don’t succeed in learning a new job, there is that tendency to return to the previous job we once abandoned. Jesus was dead and gone and this seemed like the end of his preaching ministry. With this new development, Peter decided to go back to his previous occupation of fishing; the exact job he was doing when Jesus first called him. When he picked up his net again, the other apostles followed him. But something very remarkable happened. The exact experience Peter had when the Lord first called him repeated itself. Because Peter fished all night and caught nothing. But when Jesus commanded him to try again, he hauled a great quantity of fish. With this sign, Peter recognised it was the Lord.

Having this experience again was to remind Peter of the Lord’s command when he first called him. Recall that Jesus said to Peter: “Henceforth, you will no longer be catching fish but men.” But since Peter failed in keeping this command by returning to fishing, Jesus had to make him pass through this experience again so that he could leave that net and go back to the vocation he was previously called to embrace to save souls for God. If Peter obeyed this command, many souls would be saved. This was the meaning of Peter’s great catch of fish.

Our life takes a completely different turn when we choose to follow Jesus. At this point, we no longer live for ourselves but for Christ. Sometimes we can fall back to the life we have previously abandoned because we felt the Christian life is too demanding. But God will always find us. However, we must not forget that ‘turning point moment’ that made us choose Jesus over everything. That beautiful encounter with God that changed our world. Grace abounds in recalling and meditating on that experience. So, let us not give up when we see ourselves going back to pick up our old nets. Because the gift of that first call experience from God could still win us back.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Risen Jesus, grant us the grace to return to you whenever we fall away. Amen.