ACTS 5:27-32.40-42/PS 30/REV.5:11-14/JOHN21:1-19
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
Fruitful and Productive Life
Today’s gospel presents us with the appearance of Jesus to seven of his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. It was a customary practice to fish at night and to sell the fish in the morning. Yet, Peter and the other six disciples had fished all night without catching a single fish. In a sense, this story tells us something about fruitless labour and at the same time the miraculous help of Jesus. On their own they had no result but when they followed the instruction of Jesus they had abundance. Without Jesus they labored in vain; but with Jesus they labored with gain. Therefore, in this kingdom, if we must be fruitful and productive we must do the following:
Listen to Jesus: Peter was an expert in fishing but he listened to Jesus and kept to his instruction. Beloved, you may be an expert or a professor in your field of study or practice but it does not exempt you from struggles or failures in some occasions. At times, as a human being you may find yourself battling with puzzles you have solved repeatedly with ease. Again, being an expert does not mean that when things in your area are being explained by others; they are never correct except it is said by you. In fact, humility demands that you listen and perhaps learn from others. Most experts are good listeners, humble and teachable. But unfortunately, a good chunk of amateurs parade themselves as skillful and competent.
Beloved, we live in a world where everybody is talking; we need to cultivate the culture of listening. You may know it all; but listen to others, listen to your friends; listen to your wife and hear what they have to say. More so, we need to listen to Jesus and obey his instructions so that we don’t lose direction. Peter listened and they had a great catch. Listening may spare you much struggles and pains. Listening may save you from fruitless labour.
Obey Jesus: It is not just enough to listen we must equally make sincere effort to obey. There are those who listen with keen attention but do not obey. James 1:22 say; “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.” The Contemporary English Version of the Bible puts it this way “Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it.” Beloved, we need to change, oftentimes, we listen and laud the speakers but we do not go back to practice what we have heard. Let us learn to obey irrespective of the challenges and persecutions. True Christians obey God’s word not superficially but authentically. Peter in the first reading; faced with the charges of the high priest and its concomitant anxieties said alongside with the other apostles “We must obey God rather than men.” How many of us can say this in the face of temptations and trials? True Christians are known not only in the church but in the battle field.
Discover your purpose: Discover your purpose in life. Whatever you do at all, you have a purpose in life, discover that purpose and fulfill it. In Genesis when God created man, he placed him in a garden, today we are still being placed in a garden; discover your role in the garden and carry it out. Peter felt his purpose and destiny was to be a fisherman. He was called from it and made a disciple of Jesus Christ but after Christ’s death he returned to fishing.
But Jesus desiring Peter to fulfill his purpose appeared in the Sea of Tiberias and called him to return to mission. He said to Peter feed my sheep. So, Jesus made it clear that Peter’s purpose is to be a fisher of men and not a fisherman. Do not reject Gods’ purpose for your life because of your own selfish interest. Prov.19:21 says; “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Allow God’s purpose to prevail in your life; do not be in a hurry and miss your destiny. Eph2:10 says “for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Jer.1:5 says; “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Beloved, we were created for a purpose, discover that purpose and fulfill it. If you don’t know your purpose; ask for guidance, Samuel had Eli, Elisha had Elijah, Peter had Jesus, Titus had Paul, and Timothy had Paul but you, who do you have? Allow Jesus today and come to know your true purpose in life.
Love sincerely: Love is the central element of Christian belief and theology. The theme of love was captured severally in the Old and New Testaments. Without love Christianity is not complete. In fact, Jesus says in John 13:35 “If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.” So, love is our identity. For this same reason, Jesus called Peter to perfect his declaration of love. He said to him three good times “Do you love me?” Jesus knew Peter’s limitations and so he drew his profession to perfection. Like Peter, we are limited; we equally, need to perfect our profession. We say one thing and do another; we forgive but nurse grudges; we love but we hate; we give but we are greedy; we promise but fail. We all need to perfect our profession. May the Merciful Jesus who appeared to Peter and the others help us to perfect our creed. Amen.
