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Lectionary
EASTER 3: 13 - 19 APRIL, 2008
THEME: CHILDREN, HAVE
YOU ANY FISH? CAST THE NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE’
READING:
John 21. 1 – 14.
After Jesus’ resurrection, the
disciples mentioned here have not yet met the Lord. Believing
that their master has remained in the tomb, they go back to
their daily activities. During the night when they are fished,
they did not make a catch. What disappointment for them since
they knew the place well and were good at their job, to have
to work in vain until morning! Fortunately, Jesus was at the
riverbank nearby.
The presence of the Lord is
important for the course of events. The most important issue
for Christ is the hungry state of his disciples who can
nevertheless survive from the produce of their environment. He
teaches us two well-organized steps in order to deliver fish
from the waters of the sea. First and foremost, the negative
response of the disciples reveals their lack of power to
overcome the forces of nature without God. The need to put
faith at work is the key to success. It is not easy for a
fisherman to accept casting his net in a place where he knows
in advance that there are no fish. But the disciples submitted
to the Word of Jesus.
Then there is the need for
distribution of tasks amongst all the people in order to
ensure success of the activities. The encouraging words of the
Leader are illustrated by Jesus combines with the enduring
responsibility of the implementers as shown by the disciples.
We note here that the issue ceases to be one of want, but of
overabundance of the harvest, “They could no longer withdraw
their nets owing to the large quantity of the fish.”
In the situation of poverty, scarcity, famine, etc. in
Africa today, the Lord is calling on us to cast our nets on
the right side. Right side is used as opposed to left side; we
are called to cast our nets on the right side as opposed to
the wrong side. Jesus is calling us to be aware of the
abundance of God’s resources at our disposal – it is thus
scandalous to even think of hunger in God’s Africa.
Submitted by Rev. Jean-Teddy RAMAHERIJAONA.
PRAYER
Eternal God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the
way, the truth and the life: grant us the will to walk in his
way, to rejoice in his truth, and to share his risen life and
work to bring wholeness to our continent of Africa, through
Jesus Christ who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit one God, now and forever. Amen PRAY FOR:
Zimbabwe (National Day – April 18)
READINGS FOR THE
WEEK
Isaiah 61: 1 – 3; 1 Corinthians 15: 1 – 11; 1 Peter
1: 17 – 21; James 5. 13 – 20; Psalm 23 Matthew 15. 10 – 14;
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