01/05/2022

The first reading has been used already this Easter. Peter stands up to the Sanhedrin in contrast to his shameful behaviour at Jesus' trial and crucifixion. St John's vision of the Glory of Heaven is of the eternal reduced to words and words that do not give us a clear picture of what had been revealed to him. It is the continuation of the visions of Ezechial and Daniel and I don't think that these revelations continue into our Christian era but they have inspired many to try and decipher them in order to find a secret knowledge of God.

God speaks to us directly by the lakeside in Galilee. He is definitely a body, the human body that had walked with the disciples for three years prior to being broken and dead on the cross. John is quite clear that Jesus shows himself in his resurrected form; he is there but only when he chooses do the fishermen have sight of him. He is with them for a third time by John's reckoning and is accompanied by a miracle and then continues with more of  the words that will be used to establish the primacy of Peter amongst the Apostles.

His questioning is about Love and not about power. Peter is entrusted with the task of feeding God's sheep. This is always taken as figurative language and the "feeding" is with the Sacraments. We read yesterday that the Apostles were so engossed with preaching the word that assistants were needed to help the poor and needy. Jesus by the shore fed the Apostles with fish before he, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, spoke to them. 

Dear Lord help me to truly understand and to put into practice your teachings to your disciples. Help me  to understnd the visions witnessed by John and others gifted with a mystical vision and may the care of my earthly needs not blind me to the things of the spirit. I continue to  hope that Our Lady and all the Saints can support all of us on earth  in need of healing and support.