“Come, have breakfast!” “Happy Birthday!”
We are in the midst of the joys and sorrows of the human living. Indeed, with our perspective as disciples of Jesus we are gifted with a specific insight into both joy and sorrow.
As the Easter Alleluia’s were resounding throughout the world, having seen our beloved Shepherd of Rome, Francis, appear in his fragility and go out and greet us all in the Piazza, we then heard of his return to the Father’s house.
Did you feel sadness at his death, yet also the deep joy of knowing that his loving ministry was now complete, and that he would be with Jesus, whom he loved throughout his life?
In the scriptures today we see the early church coming to terms with what it means to follow Jesus after his death and Resurrection. We see disciples returning to what they knew so well, fishing. Now, they come to recognise that there is no ‘going back’. Life for them has changed, not ended. They see in the very ‘normal’ aspects of life that Jesus is there, calling them to follow him still. They recognise that when they listen to his voice, the extraordinary catch of life is possible. They recognise that Jesus is calling to them, ‘bring what you have’, and he takes this, and blesses and shares. Having been nourished by his presence; his Word and Sacrament, as it were, the disciples proclaim their love, and in turn they receive a mission to feed others as they have been nourished.
In the ordinary moments of life, when we are attentive, we can feel Jesus’ presence as we take time to listen, and to recognise. Yes, even those moments which are both extraordinary yet ordinary, such as birth and death.
Tomorrow, Archbishop Paul Martin, will come to breakfast a year older than he is today. We pray in thanks that Jesus has called him to be with us here in the Archdiocese, and we pray he knows he is loved by us and by the Lord.
As we come to the end of the nine days of mourning for Pope Francis, we turn our hearts and minds to pray for the election of a new bishop for Rome. May we support those entrusted with voting by our prayers. May the Cardinals listen to the Spirit calling to them. As they sit down together at breakfast, pranzo, and dinner, may they recognise Jesus, and recognise the one to whom Jesus is asking, as he did the first Peter, “Do you love me…”
With prayers, patrick
