Today's gospel speaks to the modern condition. Despite knowing of the resurrection, like the disciples, our society has decided: "I am going fishing." (Jn 21: 3) This is a return to life as it was before our society knew about Jesus. It is a collective form of amnesia. However, the fishing efforts of the disciples yields nothing just as all of the well intentioned psychology and evolutionary biology of our time is fruitless. Just as he did at Emmaus Jesus catches up with the disciples. He invites them and us, once again, to trust him. It is he who knows what is productive and it is he who prepares breakfast. It is only when we live in accord with the Gospel that we can be in harmony and discern what is right. Once our physical needs are met, as on that Eastertide morning all those centuries ago for Peter, that Jesus asks the key question: "... do you love me more than these?" (Jn 21: 16) Jesus does not even, as on the way to Emmaus, tell Peter that he is foolish. he does not ask for gratitude or an apology. What he asks for is love. So it is with us. Do we, as Catholics, love the Lord "more than these"? Jesus does not ask this question to gratify himself. It is a call to mission. Are we prepared both to love the Lord and to serve him knowing that the cost of doing so it to experience something o the suffering of our Master? It is not a question of what society thinks but the individual encounter and relationship that each Christian has when confronted by the love and generosity of the risen Christ.
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