50 Ways to Get Through Easter... Birth!

Today's Readings

This GregBlog is part of a series called "50 Ways to Get Through Easter". Originally posted in 2010, it follows the reading in Cycle C of the Church Lectionary, the same cycle we're on for this year... Pretty cool eh? In the wisdom of the cycle, old becomes new again! Kinda "Easter-ish" isn't it? Enjoy!
“So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea.” (John 21: 6-7)

Today’s word: Birth!

A familiar theme in my understanding of the Gospel has long been that we are always called to “re-birth”. A former Pastor and still mentor of mine, Msgr. Michael Sexton, a priest for almost 50 years serving the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama, likens our life’s journey to a circular process of birth, life, struggle, and re-birth! While he might not have used those words directly, he would often preach on our being able to seize the opportunity to have another part of ourselves be born or re-born to a greater purpose! Today’s Gospel of John offers its understanding of the disciples casting their nets, and catching lots of fish. While the other Gospels see the story to be an introduction to Jesus’ earthly ministry and Peter’s response to his initial call, (See Luke 5: 1-11 and Matthew 14: 28-31) John’s Gospel shares this as part of the resurrection, and the disciple’s revelation that something NEW is about to happen. Notice Peter’s response of jumping into the water to swim to the shore to see the newly risen Lord! Like Fr. Sexton’s yearly challenge, I submit that each time we reflect on the miracle of the risen Lord, a new opportunity is being offered to us! The “fish we are called to catch” are the new successes and challenges thrown our way as we venture through a new year of our lives. The response of Peter’s jumping in the water and swimming to Jesus, reminds us of not only our baptism, but a call to action to have all of this bring us closer to Lord! The re-birth that comes with Easter, and the new life of Spring is certainly a reality for each of us.

May our BIRTH this Easter bring us all closer to the amazing opportunity we have, to be the child of God we were BORN to BE!