Acts 4:1-12 Ps 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a Jn 21:1-14

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections Celebrating Easter

There are two particular reasons, among many, why I like this Gospel reading so much. The first reason is that it makes me feel more human when I do not realize God is right in front of me. The other is that it reminds me of those “God is here” moments. I have heard these moments coined as “God wink” moments by my leader on a retreat and her friend – I think this nickname is more than appropriate for this moment. I definitely want to give them the credit for such a creative term!

These “God is here” or “God wink” moments are so special. I realize that in this reading Jesus is literally present; however, it is not just his presence that reveals these moments. These moments are when the men are able to catch many, many fish without breaking the net. This was done with God’s will and is not just a coincidence. It is one of those small miracles that we do not always understand why something is working the way that it is, but we see God in it. Many “God wink” moments for me have been when family members are randomly present at the right time (since I am away at college) or when rooming has been stressful and a great solution is spontaneously found. I sit there and just think “huh, God, you got me again.” I also see “God wink” moments in conversations as we talk about God or I visit with those that really are able to share with others in their faith. I believe the fishermen are experiencing “God wink” moments in this reading.
           
I also mentioned that I like this passage because it makes me feel more human when I make a mistake and miss God’s presence. Sometimes I encounter a situation and I completely miss and disregard the fact that God is there and helping me through it all. God may be in a friend, or a stranger that shares a story with me, or in a song that displays a very important message. Sometimes I walk away from whatever the encounter with God was and I didn’t even realize it. At first, the fishermen do not realize that the man they are talking to is Jesus. Eventually, they realized it and experienced the encounter with God to their fullest. I just enjoy and feel calmed by the fact that we are human, and that is OK – but we do have to try to catch our “God wink” moments so that when God is near, we do not miss him.