Come Have Breakfast
Friday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 21: 1-14 – Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This must have been an especially wonderful experience for Jesus’ disciples, especially St. Peter. St. John remembers it with joy and is inspired to write about it. They are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberius) after an unproductive night of fishing. Then Jesus comes to shore and tells them to try again…which certainly must have sounded somewhat ridiculous to them. However, they obey, and they catch a huge number of fish.
If we are attentive, we’ll remember that this isn’t the first time this has happened to Peter (or Andrew, James, and John). Three years earlier, when these four were fishermen barely knew Jesus, a similar miracle occurred and it lead them to believe. Now, here, after the Resurrection, Jesus comes to call them again. Their life with Him is not over, and neither is their call. In a sense, it is only just beginning. They are to carry the Good News of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection to the ends of the earth, to the end of time.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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