"Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus,) Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 'I’m going out to fish,' Simon Peter told them, and they said, 'We’ll go with you.' So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing."
Imagine working all night without success. You are a fisherman, but today you will return home without anything to show for your efforts. Suddenly, you see someone on the shore. You don't recognize him, but he asks whether you have any fish. Is he a buyer or just an inquirer? When he suggests you throw your net on the other side of the boat you are reluctant to act, but you do it and almost immediately your net is so full you can't lift it from the water.
Peter knows what has happened. The Lord has come to them after the resurrection and the lesson is clear. Jesus has not abandoned them, but the path to hope will be different than they expected. No longer able to do everything their own way, the apostles and disciples must "throw their nets to other side" Though their lives will ill be difficult, they will catch more fish than they could ever have imagined.
Nathaniel, who most scholars think is Bartholomew, the one without guile, is also with the disciples when Jesus appears to them. Innocent and straightforward, it will probably be easier for him to change his ways and be open to whatever Jesus asks when he travels as a missionary to India and Armenia. More important, his violent death at the hands of King Astyages is testimony of his willingness to endure anything for the sake of the Good News, and remains a potent example for all who claim to be Jesus' disciples today.
Today, ask for the grace to be yourself without guile before God and others.
What keeps you from being yourself as a person of faith?
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