Come, have breakfast

Mass Readings: March 28

First:	Acts 4:1-12
Resp:	Psalm 118:1-2,4,22-27
Gospel:	John 21:1-14

John 21:12 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.

I love this scene. Jesus is hosting a simple breakfast of fish and bread. He reveals who he is to the disciples by revisiting a former miracle. Then he just invites them to eat with him. There is no chorus of angels or shooting stars or trumpets blowing. It probably smelled like fish with the noise of the waves breaking on the shore.

It is hard for me to put a lot of theological significance in this event. This appeals to me more on a visual or experiential level. I love the idea of Jesus just sitting down and eating with them. In the culture of Jesus' time, eating is a time of intimacy. You didn't just eat with anybody. It was a time of fellowship. But here, after all that had happened, it is a moment of peace and refreshing. A time to get one's bearings. The stability of tradition and family and friends has value that is beyond words.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always remember the simple yet important things. Help me to take the time to sit and eat with those who are important to me. Help me to appreciate the value not only to myself, but help me so that I can add value for others.

Amen