Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 / Apocalypse 5:11-14 / John 21:1-19
We might like to think that having lots of time and nothing to do can be quite an enjoyable thing.
After all, we have always been so busy with work, with children, and with so many other things in life that we hardly have time for ourselves.
So we dreamed about some time in the future when we are retired and the children are grown-up and then we will be free and have lots of time for ourselves.
We will dream of overnight mahjong sessions, go on a cruise, go for holidays, just enjoy life.
After all, we have worked hard in life and we want to have some enjoyment after that.
But for how long can we keep playing mahjong, or going for cruises, or going for holidays? How long can we go on with lots of time and nothing to do?
Because without a challenge and a direction in life, we will begin to lose the meaning of life.
In the gospel, we hear of Peter and the other disciples at the Sea of Tiberius, doing nothing.
Though it was after the resurrection of Jesus, and Jesus had already appeared to them twice, they were not very sure what to do or where to go. They had lots of time but they had nothing to do and nowhere to go.
So Peter suggested they go fishing, hoping that they can make some use of their time.
But it was strange that they caught nothing at all after working hard all night.
Maybe because there was nothing in their minds and in their hearts, even their work also resulted in nothing. Seems like even the fish also didn’t want to go near them.
Until Jesus called out to them. Then things began to change and change so quickly. All of a sudden, there was a miraculous catch of fish. And then one of the disciples realized that it was Jesus. And when they came back to shore, there was a breakfast ready for them.
But most importantly, Jesus was with them and life began to look different. Life began to look exciting. But it was also going to be challenging.
And at times it may seem like what the disciples went through – going fishing all night but catching nothing.
Life, indeed, has many moments of frustration and disappointment.
We feel like we wait for nothing and we work for nothing.
Our human inclination is to want life easy and smooth. So whether in church, or at home, or at work, we want it smooth and easy.
Whether in marriage, or in bringing up kids or taking care of aged parents, we want it smooth and easy.
And we can have it our way. So in church organization, if we are not happy, we leave.
If we are not happy at work, we resign. If we are not happy in our marriage, we divorce.
But do we want to choose our way or do we want to live life God’s way?
In the 1st reading, Peter bravely said that obedience to God comes before obedience to man.
Peter could have just obeyed those with power and authority and avoided trouble and saved his life.
But that would mean giving up for nothing and giving up to nothing.
There is a story about not giving up and it goes like this:
One day a man decided to quit. He gave up on his job, his relationship, his spirituality. He wanted to give up on his life. He went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", he asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to give up?"
His answer surprised the man. "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes" the man replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not give up on the bamboo.
In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not give up on the bamboo.
In the third year there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not give up on it
In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not give up.
Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".
"I would not give up on the bamboo. I will never give up on you.
Don't compare yourself to others. The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet, they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high."
"How high should I rise?" the man asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?" God asked in return. "As high as it can?" the man answered. "Yes." God said, "Give Me glory by rising as high as you can."
The Lord will never give up on us and we too must not give up on ourselves, on others and on the challenges and difficulties we face.
Instead of telling the Lord how big the problem is, let us turn around and tell the problem how great the Lord is!
Yes, God is great, all the time. May we use all our time and all our days proclaiming that God is great, all the time.