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4-May-25 Third Sunday of Easter (John 21:1-19)

After an amazing experience, some people find some comfort in a return to a routine. So, it's really no surprise when Peter says, "I am going fishing." to the some of the other disciples. But just like in those earlier stories, they aren't able to catch anything. It's a big disappointment.
Then Jesus appears and tells them simply to cast their net on the other side of the boat ... and they catch so many that the gospel writer tells us that it was surprising the net wasn't torn.
Then Jesus does something much, much less amazing, but far more powerful: He sits down and has breakfast with the disciples.
We might be in a time when we really just want to lose ourselves in a routine. We're might at a time when we really could use a sense of the presence of Jesus.
Here at the table, we can have both. Here at the table, we have the familiar liturgy of taking the bread and the cup, reminders of Jesus and all he gave to show God's love for us. Here at the table, we also encounter our risen Lord, who is the one who calls any and all of us to join him here. Here at the table, these simple elements in simple ritual remind us again that Jesus is indeed present here and now and will be with us as we go from here.
Let us pray.

Prayer:

God who reveals yourself in the simple and inhabits even our routines, help us to know that you are here with us now. As we take these symbols of your love which gave all to show it to us, help us to reconnect with you here and now. We thank you for Jesus, who reveals you to us as one of us. We thank you for your constant, faithful presence and love, symbolized in this bread and cup.
We pray that, like those disciples, we can rise from this simple meal, ready and able to carry your good news into our world.
In the name of Jesus, our Risen Lord, Amen.