A NEW SEASON, A NEW CALLING
Easter was a bit different for my family this year. It feels like the lead-in to a completely new season, for multiple reasons. On one hand, it was a little lonelier. While my extended family had traditionally enjoyed a large brunch together followed by a gathering with games, food-coma induced naps, and laughter, the tradition seems to have stopped with my uncle’s passing last year. He, along with my late Auntie, valued family gatherings and Easter was the holiday they would take the lead in coordinating. This year, many of our family members stayed out of town, and local family members left town for spring break with their families.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus reveals himself to the disciples a third time after His Resurrection. After Jesus’ death, I imagine the disciples in a state of traumatic grief, then learning about His rising, being quite disoriented– What is this new reality? What does this all mean? What are we now called to do?
For Peter, he returns to fishing– then Jesus reveals himself along with a new calling– to cast the net on the other side of the boat– to change his “tradition,” and find abundance in his new approach. Peter, with eager recognition, goes to Jesus. They bring the net to shore, and gather together. Then, this passage:
“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.”
They broke fast together. They returned to each other's company. They returned to the basics of how Jesus loves. “Come, have breakfast.” Jesus loves in this simple-yet-amazing, nourishing, and life-giving way. Of course He does, the disciples may have thought to themselves. They recognize Jesus’ love. They are then called to go out and share the abundance of God’s Love in life-giving ways.
In life, there is change. Our traditions change. And though change can bring grief and feelings of disorientation, change also invites us to find new ways forward. As my husband and I make room for a new addition to our family this summer, we wonder at how life will continue to transform– how our relationships and priorities will shift. We anticipate how new and joyful and challenging this new season will be.
This Easter, we returned to the basics. We attended mass together along with my sister. We shared meals and spent time in each other's company for the day. Our love of family and our family’s love is still here, still very much alive. Perhaps now we are called to carry this life-giving love on for this new season, and a newer generation.
Lord, help us to know how simply and how deeply we are loved in the midst of change and uncertainty. How are we now called to share your life-giving love?
Krystelle Robeniol