Scripture: John 21:12-14
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Thought for the Day: Does anyone else find it strange that it says, “None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.” Why do you need to ask, “Who are you?” if you already know who it is? Of course, this is one of the resurrection appearances, and I can only imagine the confusion and emotional turmoil within these Jesus followers. One moment you think your teacher has been executed, and the next moment he shows up. You want to believe what you see, but you are having a hard time believing what you see. Even for the most faithful and steady of Christians, I find this to be a fair depiction of what it means to live the life of faith. It came as a shock to most Christians that Mother Teresa lived most of her life tormented by doubt. She wanted to believe, and she did, but she also experienced so much pain and suffering each and every day. Some might say it was a sign of weakness, but I think it’s a sign of one’s humanity. Most of us find ourselves in a constant struggle between belief and non-belief, between conviction and uncertainty, between hope and despair. It is those who are honest who will probably weather the storm in such a way that they will impact the world in a positive and healthy way.
Prayer: However I enter this day, Spirit of Mercy, I pray that my struggles lead to a genuineness within my imperfect faith. It might be easy on my best days, but even then, there are questions and doubts and even a few fears. At the end of the day, may I trust in your unceasing love that encircles me even when uncertainty appears to be winning the day. Amen.
