FRIDAY WITHIN EASTER OCTAVE : 25th April 2025

The encounter with the Crucified and Risen Jesus has dramatically emboldened the Apostles to proclaim the

same message of belief in Jesus, the One who was sent by the Father to reconcile and to love us all. Peter and John had been preaching and healing by the temple when the priests and Sadducees confronted them and took them into custody. The concern of the Sadducees was the preaching of the resurrection as they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. They also questioned the authority on which Peter and John preached and healed. Peter boldly proclaimed that all had been done in the name of Jesus Who had been crucified but God had raised Him from the dead. Peter claimed that Jesus was the only way to salvation.

Jesus astounds Peter and the disciples at the breakfast encounter at the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias) where their fishing had not been very successful. Someone was on the shore telling them to cast their nets on the other side; immediately their nets were full. Suddenly, John realized that it was Jesus and exclaimed to the others about it. When they returned to shore, Jesus was cooking breakfast for them – He knew they would be hungry after fishing all night. But more than that, as Jesus served them then, now it connects us to the Eucharist – a meal with Jesus Who has provided all that they needed. Do we trust Jesus to provide all that we need?

Lord Jesus, You bring our horizon of hope closer; help us to cast away our unbelief.