The other day I had a client ask me my thoughts on why many people seek Jesus Christ, yet, these same individuals still suffer. They go to church, they pray, and they seek Jesus, yet, they seem to never become free of pain and heartache. I pondered my response for a moment and then I shared with her my thoughts on the times we live in.
Enlightenment
Looking around the world and we witness the influence of The Enlightenment and The Age of Reason – the age we live in today. Mankind, generally speaking, is still walking around in “their heads” and we give undo power to human reason, the human mind, and the human ego. It’s not that the human mind isn’t valuable, after all God created it; however, The Enlightenment has caused us to lose sight of the power found within our hearts. Our intuition, and the beauty of spiritual mysticism, has been cast aside in the name of science and intellect.
All of mankind lives in the milieu of The Enlightenment, and as a result, we are all effected by it. Even our modern-day science and medicine is based on Newtonian physics, the physics of The Enlightenment. Yet, things are shifting and I believe that once we shift into the next phase of human development we will more fully experience the infinite love and healing the Holy Trinity offers.
I believe we have entered into this new period – a time of the heart. As we enter into this new age we will more fully step into the truth, love, and blessings Jesus spoke of. You see, his words are beautiful and they are true indeed. However, when we read his words through the filter of our human minds we miss much. We must receive his words, and all of sacred scripture, through our hearts in order to really understand them. Once we do, we will step into the fullness of the love Jesus came to share. Remember, Jesus Christ lives in our hearts and it is in, and through, our hearts that he speaks to us. We must meet him there.
Jesus Christ – Ever Present
Our Gospel today reveals to us the fact that Jesus is already here, tending to our needs even when we don’t know it. The disciples must have felt weighed down, not knowing where to turn. So much has happened as of late. The Crucifixion, the empty tomb, Emmaus, the many encounters with Jesus in his glorified body, and the Resurrection. Perhaps the disciples were just plain numb when they got in that boat to go fishing.
All night long they fished, and they had nothing to show for it. Empty net, after empty net came up from the side of the boat. They were hungry, and I would guess a bit fearful. They must also have been physically and emotionally exhausted. I wonder if they remembered Jesus’ words at any time during night when he told them they would become fishers of men.
Fishers of Men
Then it happened. Jesus appeared. There must have been something familiar in his voice that called them into obedience when he told them to cast the nets one more time. Full nets followed – what a moment of joy! 153 large fish to be exact – this number itself holds spiritual significance; however that is a story for another day. It was at that miraculous moment when, the disciple whom Jesus loved, noticed it was Jesus speaking to them from the shore. Jesus is still appearing and performing miracles all around us today. When we recognize his hand we will, undoubtedly, act like Peter and jump into the water and rush towards Jesus.
Through it all Jesus Christ was there for the disciples, with breakfast already prepared. All they needed to do was hear his voice and follow his direction. Jesus had special roles for each and every one of them that needed to be fulfilled for the greater good of all the world. Little did they know at that time, but the Church would come into the world as a result of their “yes” to Jesus.
Breakfast is Served
Jesus already has our breakfast prepared as well, he is waiting to serve us. I believe we are, like the disciples in John’s Gospel today, waking up to a new dawn. Just as Jesus prepared breakfast for the disciples without their knowing, Jesus has everything prepared for us. As we begin to more fully receive his words in our hearts, we will enjoy the breakfast feast – nourishment we need to do our work today.
Heart Language
This brings me back to my original thought. We are entering into a new age today – the age of the heart. Jesus Christ speaks to us, and dwells within, our hearts. When we create the space in our hearts for him to speak he will direct our steps. We too can join with the disciples, become filled with the Holy Spirit, and become fishers of men.
This will require our full surrender to Christ. Peter in our first reading today was bold. Take a moment a visualize him standing before the leaders, elders and scribes speaking his bold words. Oh my! He didn’t hold back one bit. Unlike the Peter who denied the Lord three times, this Peter was giving them an earful. You see, Peter was a changed man. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit ignited within Peter something that would set into motion the greatest net of all time – the Catholic Church.
The Holy Spirit will ignite us as well. Once ignited, we will become changed like Peter. While we may still suffer, suffering will no longer have power to hold us back from experiencing the joy our hearts long for. Jesus Christ has special plans for us too, he has placed them in our hearts. When our hearts hear him, he will work through us, and we witness a great catch too.
Fasting of the Mind
I invite you to visit my webpage on meditation and contemplation called Fasting of the Mind. In it you will find several pathways I regularly use to allow my heart to open more fully to Jesus Christ. I would love to meet you there. Here is the link: Fasting of the Mind.
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
Father God – consume us.
Holy Spirit – enter in to us.
Mother Mary – pray for us.
Today’s Readings Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-24, 25-27A; Alleluia – Psalm 118:24; John 21:1-14
Understanding The Jesus Code
I have created a pdf version for those who seek to read my book, Understanding The Jesus Code, yet have found it is not available via Amazon in their country, or those who are financially unable to obtain a copy. If you are experiencing either issue please email me at DrCarolyn@TheLIVEMethod.com so I can help.
