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May
02

Gospel of John 21, Jesus Is Alive!

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Day 98, John 21

Happy Resurrection Day! Praise God for His Mercy and Goodness to us!

I see three final points:

  1. Do You Love Me?
  2. You Follow Me
  3. The World Could Not Contain

1- Do You Love Me?

We see right away that Jesus appears to the apostles and they do not recognize Him even after He told them to cast the nets on right side to make a catch — it was John who told Peter …

“It is the Lord”

And immediately we see Peter in his usual dramatic style jumping off the boat and into the water to hurry to Jesus!

They caught 153 fish — it is said that this number represented all the different species of fish that existed and also the number of nations in the world at the time…. very interesting — a number like this cannot pass by without meaning — we know that!

Jesus ate with them and gave them the bread and fish to eat — this was the third time Jesus had appeared to the apostles!

And on this third time it is no coincidence that Jesus spoke to Peter after breakfast …

Jesus asks Peter three times… “DO you Love Me?”

It is said that the three times was one for each of the three denials Peter had made…

Here was Jesus response each time…

Feed My Lambs

Tend My Sheep

Feed My Sheep

Feed my sheep means the little ones — the ones immature in their faith — just staring to grow –

Tend My Sheep — we are taught means Governing — so this is another place where we see Peter being given the authority to govern and lead the sheep!

Feed My Sheep — means the mature ones — Feed them!

How?

With the Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist — and with the Scriptures His Word!!!

Peter says “Lord you know that I love you!” but honestly Jesus is thinking — show me!

Peter cracks me up because given what just took place — how could He blame Jesus for wanting to make sure — do you blame Him for checking Peter out?

He asks each time for each of the denials — now this is not the kind of love we tend to throw around — Love you!!!

Today the World throws around the word LOVE — LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!  As Fr. Bill would say!

NO this kind of love is ready to die for JESUS CHRIST!

We see Jesus here lead right into that…

2- YOU Follow ME!

Jesus says to Peter when you are older people will drag you off where you don’t want to go!

This signifies the kind of death that He was to suffer —

No step back for a minute… Jesus says… Follow me and then YOU follow me!

Follow me really translates in Greek, to do what I do — and be on my coatails!  So if I die on the cross then you die on the cross!

So I ask you is anyone you know really following Jesus?

Then Jesus knew that Peter was losing his focus — he started to focus on the others and not what he was supposed to do —

the focus was on — all of a sudden — the beloved disciple!  The one Jesus loved!

I wonder if that bugged the boys that there was one Jesus favored?

Did they see it as part of the plan — did they see it make sense that John was the only one at the cross?

Why did Peter ask… “Lord what about Him?” Meaning John!

Jesus asks Peter a question… “What if I want him to remain until I come”

IE “None of your business — your business is to follow me!!!”

And even though they did not understand they started to spread the rumor that John was not going to die –

When Jesus says “What concern of it is yours?”it reminds me of the Wedding Feast of Cana where Jesus says to His Mother — what concern is it of mine?

This really meant …what would you have me do? — now here I think Jesus was trying to help them understand what they had to do — how they had to remain in His love -

– and how they had to focus in on the task at hand — as so many souls were attached to this work of redemption and it continues on today!

3- The World Could Not Contain!

You see they had no idea the souls that would be saved by their actions!  Even the denials were used to strengthen faith!

Every time we sing Faith of Our Fathers in Church I think of these great men and the women who gave their lives so that we would live on free in the Lord Jesus!

Here we see the final note that John testifies — HE is our example of faith — to be a true witness means that you are willing to die for the Gospel — and you will give testimony that He is alive!

Just as I have written before — testimony was everything back then — for something to be true there had to be someone who would testify to it as true —

so here we see John — testifying –

and also saying that

“There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written”

This is where we as Catholics truly can say that we cannot believe that Divine Revelation is the Bible Alone!

NO we believe that many of these “other things“ have been handed down in the deposit of faith orally and also in the Early Church Father’s writings etc..

So when our separated brothers and sisters discuss the only authority being the bible — who interprets it?  There are so many ways to interpret the bible -

- that the authority must be Jesus Christ through His Vicar on earth the Pope and this authority passed down to the bishops in communion with Him!

Praise God this is such good news — we have a faith that we can believe in and totally submit our intellect to — when we make an act of faith!

John does in fact die… but not on the cross — like the others — he was exiled to the island of Patmos at an old age I believe —

DIVINE REVELATION is a PERSON — JESUS —- it ends with the death of the last apostle which would be John —

SO from the book of Revelation — the last book — there is no new Revelation of who Jesus is or what you need for salvation!

It is all in here and in all of Divine Revelation which includes Sacred Tradition!

I look forward to continuing our Journey —- This has been a true pleasure and a transformation!

Do you find the Mass is coming alive for you?  Can you hear the words better?

The Gospels at daily Mass have all been from John these past few weeks!

I would like to continue — so for the next three days I will post the last three chapters of JOHN –

Friday 19 — Saturday 20 – Sunday 21

And then we will begin Acts of the Apostles and move through the New Testament!

We have been through so much with these apostles — I can’t wait to see how they work with the faith and grace they have received by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT– and to watch the church grow –

I truly believe that the Lord will continue to bless this study!  And now the Holy Spirit especially!

So we will hike up the mountain with the Acts of the Apostles — I will post what we will study for the day — and we will get another rhythm going — I believe this is what the Lord wants so we will follow through –

Get fired up because we begin Acts of the Apostles tomorrow Monday!  I will try to let you know ahead of time what the week will look like because we mostlikely will not be going through a chapter per day —

I’ve decided that a great way to support my work here is to make a purchase online!  So please if you are a part of this blog and you are able — please make a purchase of the book and cds — and if not for yourself then maybe for a friend or co worker or at your parish!

A great way to support my work is to spread the word about my book and also if you are in a position to arrange for me to speak at a group or parish — it doesn’t matter where you live or how big or small!  I am going where the Lord leads!

I thank you all for being here and for sharing from your hearts!

God bless you and I look forward to continuing the journey with Jesus with you all!

 

 

 

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  • Anonymous

    Jesus’s words to Peter make me think how many times Jesus asked me that question in my heart! and for so many years I chose not to hear. So while I read this for the third time or so, I tell HIM yes I hear you! and I don’ t have to ask HIM what HE wants me to do, I already know and many times I chose not to – because I am weak! so I go back again and again and again to get more grace. Marie told me about grace and how it helps me; something I did not know or maybe never listened to. I have learned more than the Bible in these writings from Marie and others.
    thank you and God Bless all of you

  • Anonymous

    judy, i was going to write just what you wrote. wow. my same thoughts and feelings.

    Amen

    every day i say: your will not mine be done. tell me what you want me to do. what hipocrisy – when things come up that i dont want to do i ignore the “nudge” in my heart, and the next day i say the same thing.

    i think i will start to write down the “nudges” and then check what i did with them.

  • Lisa Doerfler

    Don’t fall down… . guess who. It’s been such a long time and when I logged on today, I noticed that you were on the very last book of the Gospels. So, I guess I was with you for the first book, first Chapter and the last book, Last Chaper…and a few times in between. Wow, what a mess up… It’s amazing that I couldn’t find time to be here, as I always enjoy logging on and appreciate all of the wisdom and insight that the Holy Spirit gives you daily. So, I guess I’m like the prodical son, will you take me back?

    One point I love in this last Chapter… although Peter is the Rock that Jesus will build the church on, John is His favorite. I guesswhat that means to me, is that we don’t have to do great things or be in a “lead” position to be in the will of God or to “follow” Him. Sometime, just “being at the Cross” with someone and and having “passion” (when John ran ahead of Peter to check out the tomb on Sunday morning), is greatness in itself. Sometimes, if we wait to do “great things” we miss out on doing “the good things”. Although we ARE expected to go to the cross for Him, he knows us and so HE took our place and did it for us, and therefore, wants us to follow him with a true servants heart for one another.

    Anyway, I”m going to make an effort to be with you through Acts… and Mrs. Raffa, I encourage you… DO write down those nudges… you would be amazed and the clarity and confirmation that comes from that. I hope you all have a blessed day and week ahead, and I pray that the Holy spirit will NUDGE me to log on more frequently. Thanks so much Marie, I miss you and love you…

  • judystefencavage

    Jesus's words to Peter make me think how many times Jesus asked me that question in my heart! and for so many years I chose not to hear. So while I read this for the third time or so, I tell HIM yes I hear you! and I don' t have to ask HIM what HE wants me to do, I already know and many times I chose not to – because I am weak! so I go back again and again and again to get more grace. Marie told me about grace and how it helps me; something I did not know or maybe never listened to. I have learned more than the Bible in these writings from Marie and others.
    thank you and God Bless all of you

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Whooooooooooo hooooooooooooo! What a total gift to see you here today Lisa! Talk about doing GOOD things you just did one!!! It is so good to see you here and to have you add your wisdom!!!

    I love what you say about JOHN — you see we all have our place with Jesus — He has a special place for us that He has prepared in His heart — and so we don’t have to be like each other — and we don’t have to be envious or jealous — we all have different gifts and graces for us to share with each other — all for the Glory of God!

    When I read what you wrote it reminded me that the world’s way is to do GREAT THINGS!!! and our whole lives we are programed by the world to follow into greatness — or we don’t count — or amount to anything!

    As Mother Teresa so beautifuly showed us — so something great for God — be little — do small things with GREAT LOVE –
    that is it!

    HE WILL DAILY — and HE GIVE US OUR DAILY BREAD so that we can do HIS WILL — as JESUS said the food I eat is to do the will of the Father!

    May that be our prayer!!! AS we begin Acts of the Apostles — let us pray that we really get plugged into what kind of holy faith filled fired up lives they lived for JESUS —

    You are welcome anytime!!!!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    This is so great JUDY! I have learned that we just have to believe that we hear His voice and ask “Is that you Jesus?” if you are at all confused — then you will trust that it is the prompting of the Holy Spirit ….

    Yesterday I went up to Czestochowa for the women’s ministry core group meeting… as I was getting some things out of the car — I looked at my rosaries that I keep in the car — and I felt a prompting to bring them — then I said — no I don’t have time to reach in and get them…. besides I have rosaries — then the next prompting came — yes but your friend Lisa will need them… I resisted again and said — she always has rosaries with her!!!!
    Lisa picked me up and we went up together and when it was time to pray the rosary she said to me — oh I don’t have any rosaries!!!
    Now I had put on a rosary ring that I have never worn before — it was a prompting to put the ring on –
    so I gave her my rosaries and prayed with my ring –
    my whole point here —
    seems like a little thing — but if we don’t question and just do what we feel prompted to do at the time… then all will be perfect in God’s will
    everyone will have what they need!
    I also could see that when we move too fast — no time to get in car and grab the rosaries — in a rush — we aren’t as obedient –
    so my lesson was not to be in a rush — to trust that voice and do it without questioning and that God always has a plan B — but why not follow plan A

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    This is a great great point — write things down!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!! It is the only way we get to see the snapshot of what is happening — the patterns and then we tackle them one by one –

    GRACE builds on nature so — get to know your nature — pray pray pray for obedience — and just do it!

    Good job!

  • marionraffa

    judy, i was going to write just what you wrote. wow. my same thoughts and feelings.

    Amen

    every day i say: your will not mine be done. tell me what you want me to do. what hipocrisy – when things come up that i dont want to do i ignore the “nudge” in my heart, and the next day i say the same thing.

    i think i will start to write down the “nudges” and then check what i did with them.

  • Lisa Doerfler

    Don't fall down… . guess who. It's been such a long time and when I logged on today, I noticed that you were on the very last book of the Gospels. So, I guess I was with you for the first book, first Chapter and the last book, Last Chaper…and a few times in between. Wow, what a mess up… It's amazing that I couldn't find time to be here, as I always enjoy logging on and appreciate all of the wisdom and insight that the Holy Spirit gives you daily. So, I guess I'm like the prodical son, will you take me back?

    One point I love in this last Chapter… although Peter is the Rock that Jesus will build the church on, John is His favorite. I guesswhat that means to me, is that we don't have to do great things or be in a “lead” position to be in the will of God or to “follow” Him. Sometime, just “being at the Cross” with someone and and having “passion” (when John ran ahead of Peter to check out the tomb on Sunday morning), is greatness in itself. Sometimes, if we wait to do “great things” we miss out on doing “the good things”. Although we ARE expected to go to the cross for Him, he knows us and so HE took our place and did it for us, and therefore, wants us to follow him with a true servants heart for one another.

    Anyway, I”m going to make an effort to be with you through Acts… and Mrs. Raffa, I encourage you… DO write down those nudges… you would be amazed and the clarity and confirmation that comes from that. I hope you all have a blessed day and week ahead, and I pray that the Holy spirit will NUDGE me to log on more frequently. Thanks so much Marie, I miss you and love you…

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Whooooooooooo hooooooooooooo! What a total gift to see you here today Lisa! Talk about doing GOOD things you just did one!!! It is so good to see you here and to have you add your wisdom!!!

    I love what you say about JOHN — you see we all have our place with Jesus — He has a special place for us that He has prepared in His heart — and so we don't have to be like each other — and we don't have to be envious or jealous — we all have different gifts and graces for us to share with each other — all for the Glory of God!

    When I read what you wrote it reminded me that the world's way is to do GREAT THINGS!!! and our whole lives we are programed by the world to follow into greatness — or we don't count — or amount to anything!

    As Mother Teresa so beautifuly showed us — so something great for God — be little — do small things with GREAT LOVE –
    that is it!

    HE WILL DAILY — and HE GIVE US OUR DAILY BREAD so that we can do HIS WILL — as JESUS said the food I eat is to do the will of the Father!

    May that be our prayer!!! AS we begin Acts of the Apostles — let us pray that we really get plugged into what kind of holy faith filled fired up lives they lived for JESUS —

    You are welcome anytime!!!!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    This is so great JUDY! I have learned that we just have to believe that we hear His voice and ask “Is that you Jesus?” if you are at all confused — then you will trust that it is the prompting of the Holy Spirit ….

    Yesterday I went up to Czestochowa for the women's ministry core group meeting… as I was getting some things out of the car — I looked at my rosaries that I keep in the car — and I felt a prompting to bring them — then I said — no I don't have time to reach in and get them…. besides I have rosaries — then the next prompting came — yes but your friend Lisa will need them… I resisted again and said — she always has rosaries with her!!!!
    Lisa picked me up and we went up together and when it was time to pray the rosary she said to me — oh I don't have any rosaries!!!
    Now I had put on a rosary ring that I have never worn before — it was a prompting to put the ring on –
    so I gave her my rosaries and prayed with my ring –
    my whole point here —
    seems like a little thing — but if we don't question and just do what we feel prompted to do at the time… then all will be perfect in God's will
    everyone will have what they need!
    I also could see that when we move too fast — no time to get in car and grab the rosaries — in a rush — we aren't as obedient –
    so my lesson was not to be in a rush — to trust that voice and do it without questioning and that God always has a plan B — but why not follow plan A

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    This is a great great point — write things down!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!! It is the only way we get to see the snapshot of what is happening — the patterns and then we tackle them one by one –

    GRACE builds on nature so — get to know your nature — pray pray pray for obedience — and just do it!

    Good job!

  • Anonymous

    Per our teaching today,Jesus even uses denials and failings as opportunities to greatly strengthen our faith . I find this to be powerful!
    Oh Im laughing because it was humbling to have to borrow Marie’s rosary atfter the Mass…and then I thought, “what if it was Marie’s only one,..I wouldnt feel right.” of course we have our fingers, but I always carry my rosaries. Of course it WAS her only one…always so generous she is…and I wouldnt have taken it except I loved her Rosary ring that she was wearing and glanced to see it was still on. Needless to say this rosary-less situation prompted me to go home and reload my purse, with TWO rosaries…one to give away if possible!
    But…it also deeply convicted me in my heart to act on something that a very holy and wise woman whom I look up to told me, Eleanor told me “out of the blue” (our Lady’s Blue mantle) one day she lovingly mentioned to me to have my son wear a medal of St Benedict. She further went on to say that he would not be being so attacked in his thoughts if he werent close to Christ.?? Wait– how did she know ? Did I tell her my deepest held prayers? No, Im sure Id never mentioned this.
    Although I do have a st Benedict medal pinned within the lining of his pillow (great blessing), I felt sure I needed to follow Eleanor’s instruction.
    Needless to say, I so confidently knew I had a st Benedict medal in my possession that Id been meaning to give him from since ….LAST SUMMER!!! Talk about delay!!! Id been ignoring this nudge that long??? How patient is God with me…I do not deserve it. Thank you Lord! May you, Sweet Jesus be praised and glorified.
    It was in my prayer book, so since I thought I “knew” where it was…I didnt make any additional special efforts. Just kept it on my mind to “get” to it. Sadly now, Two weeks go by and now after this rosary incident at Mass w Marie…Im on fire to get that medal on a cord for my son.
    But, wait ….it is NOT where Id put it??!!!??! Oh no!! As an out of sorts spiritual unsettling sinks over me. Now its sunday and something prompts (nudge nudge) me yesterday to return home after I brought daughter to sport event that I always, always stay for entire duration. Arriving home thinking Im gonna complete a few tasks and go back right away, where son was home doing homework….exceptreally, he was really really struggling and so I said “come with me”!!. I take him to adoration chapel and then to the sport event for 20mins where some of his old St Ig friends were for their younger sibs …and I think eventually some peace came for him.
    Oh forgot to mention that earlier, at the adoration chapel when I was so confident I would find a St Benedict medal, as they are always there….but NO st Benedict medals-wasnt I just stunned!!! How could this be?? They are always there!
    How could this be? Now I am really desiring to carry through this instruction…but its not so easy as I was so over confident to believe it would be easy. This prompts me to pray a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing for that generous soul that always leaves St Benedict medals in the chapel. And,so now I have a REAL hunger !
    But…then I see the booklet– “Total Consecration to Mary-St Louis De Montfort”—what a blessing some soul left this on the bookshelf –so I borrow it. without half thinking.
    Later that evening, (how dense I can be) I still am nursing this pain and hunger about this unattainable St Benedict medal…seems so ridiculous as I write this. But , then I get “the” inspiration ….dont worry now about the medal not here….instead here and now adorn his heart and soul each night together with the prayers for the 33day consecration thatI picked up as an afterthought earlier in chapel…preparation which began on April 28th—to be completed for consecration on May 31st!! Ok!
    Ooooooh ok, now I get it….the crooked path to what Im supposed to be doing….the ol 2 by 4 awakening!
    Needless to say this medal search was leading to the right place here and now even though I was clueless and brooding about my failure, still trying to respond God had something better in Mind for his son.
    Oh, then this morning for my adoration hour….guess what I find? A single St Benedict Medal…just waiting right there in the chapel. Well could you hear me bursting out laughing?!!! Of course I took the thing!! But now I need the cord…wonder where that’s gonna lead? Thanks so much ladies for all the ways you follow through on those inspirational nudges…that truly uphold this world….my father always used to say “Its the little things that count !” How right Im finding his words to be! Thanks again for all your beautiful heartfelt sharing and may our faith be strengthened also in the successes too!

  • PBoJ

    Per our teaching today,Jesus even uses denials and failings as opportunities to greatly strengthen our faith . I find this to be powerful!
    Oh Im laughing because it was humbling to have to borrow Marie's rosary atfter the Mass…and then I thought, “what if it was Marie's only one,..I wouldnt feel right.” of course we have our fingers, but I always carry my rosaries. Of course it WAS her only one…always so generous she is…and I wouldnt have taken it except I loved her Rosary ring that she was wearing and glanced to see it was still on. Needless to say this rosary-less situation prompted me to go home and reload my purse, with TWO rosaries…one to give away if possible!
    But…it also deeply convicted me in my heart to act on something that a very holy and wise woman whom I look up to told me, Eleanor told me “out of the blue” (our Lady's Blue mantle) one day she lovingly mentioned to me to have my son wear a medal of St Benedict. She further went on to say that he would not be being so attacked in his thoughts if he werent close to Christ.?? Wait– how did she know ? Did I tell her my deepest held prayers? No, Im sure Id never mentioned this.
    Although I do have a st Benedict medal pinned within the lining of his pillow (great blessing), I felt sure I needed to follow Eleanor's instruction.
    Needless to say, I so confidently knew I had a st Benedict medal in my possession that Id been meaning to give him from since ….LAST SUMMER!!! Talk about delay!!! Id been ignoring this nudge that long??? How patient is God with me…I do not deserve it. Thank you Lord! May you, Sweet Jesus be praised and glorified.
    It was in my prayer book, so since I thought I “knew” where it was…I didnt make any additional special efforts. Just kept it on my mind to “get” to it. Sadly now, Two weeks go by and now after this rosary incident at Mass w Marie…Im on fire to get that medal on a cord for my son.
    But, wait ….it is NOT where Id put it??!!!??! Oh no!! As an out of sorts spiritual unsettling sinks over me. Now its sunday and something prompts (nudge nudge) me yesterday to return home after I brought daughter to sport event that I always, always stay for entire duration. Arriving home thinking Im gonna complete a few tasks and go back right away, where son was home doing homework….exceptreally, he was really really struggling and so I said “come with me”!!. I take him to adoration chapel and then to the sport event for 20mins where some of his old St Ig friends were for their younger sibs …and I think eventually some peace came for him.
    Oh forgot to mention that earlier, at the adoration chapel when I was so confident I would find a St Benedict medal, as they are always there….but NO st Benedict medals-wasnt I just stunned!!! How could this be?? They are always there!
    How could this be? Now I am really desiring to carry through this instruction…but its not so easy as I was so over confident to believe it would be easy. This prompts me to pray a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing for that generous soul that always leaves St Benedict medals in the chapel. And,so now I have a REAL hunger !
    But…then I see the booklet– “Total Consecration to Mary-St Louis De Montfort”—what a blessing some soul left this on the bookshelf –so I borrow it. without half thinking.
    Later that evening, (how dense I can be) I still am nursing this pain and hunger about this unattainable St Benedict medal…seems so ridiculous as I write this. But , then I get “the” inspiration ….dont worry now about the medal not here….instead here and now adorn his heart and soul each night together with the prayers for the 33day consecration thatI picked up as an afterthought earlier in chapel…preparation which began on April 28th—to be completed for consecration on May 31st!! Ok!
    Ooooooh ok, now I get it….the crooked path to what Im supposed to be doing….the ol 2 by 4 awakening!
    Needless to say this medal search was leading to the right place here and now even though I was clueless and brooding about my failure, still trying to respond God had something better in Mind for his son.
    Oh, then this morning for my adoration hour….guess what I find? A single St Benedict Medal…just waiting right there in the chapel. Well could you hear me bursting out laughing?!!! Of course I took the thing!! But now I need the cord…wonder where that's gonna lead? Thanks so much ladies for all the ways you follow through on those inspirational nudges…that truly uphold this world….my father always used to say “Its the little things that count !” How right Im finding his words to be! Thanks again for all your beautiful heartfelt sharing and may our faith be strengthened also in the successes too!