In today’s Gospel, the disciples went fishing but caught nothing. Then, once Jesus directed them where to cast their net, they caught so many fish that they couldn’t lift it into the boat (Jn 21:5-6). Notice how Jesus addresses them: “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” (Jn 21:5). To whom do these children belong? To God, of course! When you were a very small child, you were completely dependent on your parents. You had to be fed, changed, and bathed by someone else. We who are baptized are beloved children of God: “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God” (1 Jn 3:1). We depend on God for everything: our successes, our happiness, our families, our very lives.
In the allegory of the vine and the branches, Jesus tells His disciples: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Fruit on the vine is a beautiful image of this childlike dependence on God. He is the vine, and we are the branches. We need to stay close to Jesus, as close as a branch to the vine, in order to accomplish anything, especially anything difficult. He will do for us what we cannot do on our own.
“I wanted to find an elevator which would raise me to Jesus, for I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection. … The elevator which must raise me to heaven is Your arms, O Jesus! And for this I had no need to grow up, but rather I had to remain little and become this more and more.”
St. Terese of Liseux, Story of a Soul
A good way to gain trust in God’s providence is to remember times when He took care of you throughout your life. Was there a time when He placed just the right person or opportunity on your path? Or maybe there was a difficult situation like illness or grief that He carried you through. Prayer is also a crucial part of depending on God. When we come to Him in prayer, we admit to God and to ourselves that we need Him. Pray to ask Jesus to be with you in whatever it is you have to do. Ask for what you need and allow Him to provide it for you.
Father, please help me to have a childlike faith by depending on You. Help me to be Christ-reliant instead of self-reliant.
Readings for the Third Sunday of Easter
ACTS 5:27-32, 40-41
PSALM 30:1-13
REVELATION 5:11-14
JOHN 21:1-19