In the Gospel of Saint Luke Jesus sees the disciples in their lack of ability to catch fish and thus gets into a boat to join them. From here He instructs them on where they are to cast their net in order that they may make a great catch. This account comes prior to the cross and resurrection of our Lord and thus the account which was just proclaimed to us in the Gospel of Saint John came after the cross and resurrection of our Lord.
In this post-resurrection account we notice that Christ does not get into a boat to assist them, but this time around remains at the shore and from here gives them instruction. The shore is seen as eternal life while the sea is an analogy to the world. The world where waves come and beat us about in order to keep us from remaining faithful and thus getting to the shore.
The net is caste to the right side of the boat for to stand at the right side are those who have remained close to God. Within the sea is mixed many fish, but those who have remained on the right side of the boat where those who have remained faithful to Christ and the Church. These fish have allowed nothing to separate them from grace and thus the rewards of eternal life.
Who is it who pulls these fish out of the water, but Saint Peter. It was Saint Peter who was given the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and was thus made the first pope. Those who remain faithful to Peter and his successors do not place themselves outside of the Church, but rather remain faithful sons and daughters of the Church.
In light of this Gospel we must ask ourself how important eternal life is for us. It is easy to pass through life without ever considering it and how our actions can truly deprive ourself of this reality. Christ established the Church in order that we can be found at the right side of the boat. To the left of the boat fish were found which had separated themselves from this reality and thus they were not brought into the shore of eternal life.
If we do not feel like we are currently placed at the right side of this boat; may we not lose hope. Christ remains at the shore and continues to call out to us that we may come and encounter Him through eternal life. Following the Resurrection even the disciples had failed to understand the truth of the Resurrection. During this Easter season may we come to discover this faith which was slowly brought about into the hearts of the disciples.
The waves of life will beat us about and attempt to scatter us away from the right side of the boat, but again the Church pours out to us everything we need to remain faithful. Through the Church we find gifts such as blessings and sacramentals. To entrust ourself to these is to allow ourself and our family to be modeled after Christ and His great love for us. Most of all we cannot forget about the gift of the sacraments which continue to nourish our heart and soul and thus make us assured of God’s great love and concern for each of us.
