Eat Your Breakfast Slowly and Believe.
The Irony of Christ’s Wounds.
April 8, 2021
Drop Your Doubts and Believe.
April 10, 2021PITIK-BULAG: Eat Your Breakfast Slowly and Believe.
Are we spiritually blind, impatient, or simply doubters as followers of Jesus? Like in our gospel reading today, in spite of the news that Jesus has risen, the disciples remained in their doubts. They could not transform their hearts from sadness to joy, from hopelessness to hope, and from fear to courage! Thus, Jesus said to them, “Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts stirring in your hearts?” (Luke 24:38).
Even in the midst of a lingering pandemic, signs of God’s love and His presence are everywhere. We are overwhelmingly surrounded by His bountiful graces. Every moment is grace. Just listen to the songs of the morning birds, the smell of your freshly brewed coffee, or simply enjoy your fried rice, eggs, and tuyo for breakfast. So many things to see, feel, smell, hear and touch to feel His presence. The heavenly graces are in front of us, but we are either blind, impatient, ungrateful or simply an unbeliever. Or, we too anxious to see these blessings. We are overwhelmed by the bad news we hear daily regarding this pandemic. We failed to count our blessings as we focus more on our miseries. Sad to say, our lack of faith leads us to spiritual numbness: We failed to see and appreciate the beauty and graces of the now. In this new normal, God is giving us also new graces to help us cope in our difficult situation.
In our gospel today, Jesus prepared an instant breakfast for the disciples to encourage and console them. What we have here was a very patient and understanding Risen Lord. Ever gentle and respectful of us – as slow learners of faith. He instructed the disciples to throw their nets (LIFE) to the right side (HOPEFULL AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE). Their obedience awarded them with countless fish. We are challenged to throw our life to the right side. Be more positive and hopeful. He even prepared a good breakfast for them. The Eucharist we received every day, whether spiritually or physically, is our daily breakfast food. We are grateful to the internet and social media, God found his way to bring the Eucharist into our homes.
Our gospel tells us: “As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’. They knew quite well it was the Lord.” (John 21:9-13)
“O Lord, help me in my unbelief. Forgive me for my blindness – in my failure not to see your bountiful graces in front of me. But let not your graces be the reasons for me to follow you. Allow me to know you more, so that I could follow you, not because of your graces, but because of my great desire to love and serve you, especially in the midst of this pandemic. Amen.”
In these times of pandemic, eat your breakfast with Jesus slowly. Don’t rush. Appreciate the taste of your food. Thank God for your taste bud. Some people have a good appetite like yours, but they don’t have food at all. Some people have food, but they don’t have an appetite. We are so blessed. We have both food and a great appetite. But sad to say, our inability to let go of our sadness, regrets, anger, and doubt simply stops us from enjoying the graces of the now. Thus, we failed to count the bountiful blessings God has given us.
Bishop Ambo David every morning will have his daily prayer routine of having coffee with Jesus. The word of God becomes his food every morning. He relishes the word of God daily by contemplating and meditating. Many of us do this too. It feeds our spirits.
Today, Jesus is simply inviting us to throw our nets to the right side of life, and expect to catch lots of fish. And He wants us to eat a meal with Him in the Eucharist daily. Go for it. There’s nothing to lose, but lots to gain.
“Come and eat your meal.” (John 21:12)
– Pitik-Bulag
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April 9, 2021 – Easter Friday
