The Great Catch

JOHN 21:1-19

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

Lord,
whenever I read this story
I remember.
I remember the loving people
of that small fishing village
on the north east coast
of Scotland.
I remember the LATE sunset at about 10pm
and the EARLY sunrise before 5am.

I remember the Stewart family
my hosts for two nights.
I remember going on Mr. James Stewart's morning walk.
I remember it was chilly in May,
and how he told me the old saying,
"Don't put out your clout
'till May be out."
translation:
Don't put away your coat until after May!

And I remember preaching in
St James Church of Lossiemouth, Scotland.
I remember the LARGE stained glass window
above the balcony:

Most appropriate for a fishing village church,
A small boat with a GREAT CATCH of fish.
It was their livelihood.
It was their faith.

When your first disciples went fishing,
they remembered too.
"I will make you fish for people."
You made their livelihood
into their calling.

Help us cast your LARGE net--
your net of grace, forgiveness, and acceptance.

Make our livelihood
into our calling for your sake!
Amen.