Friday, April 5, 2024

It is the Lord

So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 
“It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, 
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, 
and jumped into the sea.
(John 21:7)


Jesus continually showers His mercy on us, gives us innumerable second chances, and never gives up on us. Our efforts are futile when we work without Jesus. Blessings come out of our obedience and trust in Jesus recognizing His work in our lives. To serve Christ effectively, we must have trusted in Him as our risen Savior and Lord. We should be serving in ministries that impact others spiritually.

1 Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. 2 Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6 So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. 7 So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 9 When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead. (John 21:1-14)

In the mercy of Jesus, we continually bask, He gives us second chances, more than we could ask. Never giving up on us, His love never ends, in our futile efforts, His grace He sends. Working without Jesus, our efforts are in vain, but with Him, our losses turn into gain. Blessings come from obedience, trust in His name, recognizing His work, our lives are not the same. To serve Christ effectively, trust is a must, in Him, our risen Savior and Lord, we put our trust. Serving in ministries, impacting others spiritually, in His service, we find our purpose, eternally.

Dear Lord Jesus, we acknowledge Your continual mercy upon us. You give us innumerable second chances and never give up on us, for which we are eternally grateful. We confess that our efforts are futile when we work without You. We recognize that blessings come out of our obedience and trust in You. Help us to see Your work in our lives and to serve You effectively. We trust in You as our risen Savior and Lord. Guide us to serve in ministries that impact others spiritually. Let our service be a testament to Your love and grace. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.


Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. This underscores the unique, unparalleled authority of Jesus’ name and the redemptive power it carries. Our faith should not be merely words, but demonstrated through our actions. We should always be confident in our faith and beliefs and standing firm, even in the face of adversity and opposition. As believers, we pray for boldness in the face of persecution recognizing God’s sovereignty and praying with solid conviction, especially in challenging times and being  obedient to God’s commands over human rules when they conflict. When we walk with Jesus daily, people around us start to see Jesus in us. Let us cultivate a daily relationship with Jesus through prayer and studying His word.

1 After the crippled man had been cured, while Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them, 2 disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They laid hands on Peter and John and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word came to believe and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly class. 7 They brought them into their presence and questioned them, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them, “Leaders of the people and elders: 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, 10 then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. 11 He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” (Acts 4:1-12)

In no one else but Jesus, salvation is found, His name carries authority, profound and sound. The redemptive power it carries, unique and unparalleled, our faith in Him, through actions, should be heralded. Stand firm in faith and beliefs, be ever so bold, even in the face of adversity, let your courage unfold. Words are but whispers, actions speak loud, let your faith be seen, not hidden in a shroud. In challenging times, pray with solid conviction, recognize God's sovereignty, His divine jurisdiction. Pray for boldness in the face of persecution, obedience to God over man, that's the resolution. Walk with Jesus daily, let His light in you be seen, in your words, your actions, and everything in between. Cultivate a relationship, through prayer and His word, let His teachings in your heart be forever heard.

Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. We are humbled by the unique, unparalleled authority of Jesus' name and the redemptive power it carries. Help us to demonstrate our faith through our actions, not just in words. Grant us the strength to stand firm in our faith and beliefs, even in the face of adversity and opposition. As believers, we pray for boldness in the face of persecution. We recognize Your sovereignty and pray with solid conviction, especially in challenging times. Help us to be obedient to Your commands over human rules when they conflict. As we walk with Jesus daily, let people around us start to see Jesus in us. We commit to cultivating a daily relationship with Jesus through prayer and studying Your word. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.


God is all we need in our lives. All good things are the work of the Lord, He holds us in the palm of His hands. It is better to trust in the Lord who will never let us down than in man. Calling upon God can lead to great blessings and set us in a large place. The power of invoking God’s name in our battles brings victory. Let us always start with gratitude for God’s mercy, acknowledging that without His mercy, we could never stand in His presence.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. 2 Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His mercy endures forever.” 22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. 24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us be gla and rejoice in it. 25 O Lord, grant salvation! O Lord, grant prosperity! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and he has given us light. (Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-24, 25-27)

In our lives, God is all we need, His work is good, in this we heed. He holds us close, in His hands so grand, in His presence, humbly we stand. Trust in the Lord, for He is our rock, He never fails us, around the clock. Better to trust in Him than in man, for He guides us as only He can. Call upon God, blessings He'll bestow, setting us in a large place, making us grow. Invoke His name in battles we fight, victory is ours, in His holy light. Start with gratitude for His mercy so divine, without it, in His presence, we couldn't align. His mercy is vast, like the endless sea, in His loving grace, we are set free.

Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that You are all we need in our lives. We recognize that all good things are the work of Your hands. You hold us in the palm of Your hands, guiding us through every step of our journey. We understand that it is better to trust in You, Lord, than in man. You are our rock and our fortress, You never let us down. As we call upon Your name, we know that You hear us and respond with great blessings, setting us in a large place. We believe in the power of invoking Your name in our battles, knowing that victory is ours in You. We start and end each day with gratitude for Your mercy, acknowledging that without Your mercy, we could never stand in Your presence. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.


Pericope:

Gospel
IV: Epilogue - The Resurrection Appearance in Galilee
THE APPEARANCE TO THE SEVEN DISCIPLES
John 21:1-14

First Reading
II: The Mission in Jerusalem
BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN
Acts 4:1-22

Responsorial Psalm
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
HYMN OF THANKSGIVING
Psalm 118:1-29

Reflection Source:
Copilot

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