Old side, new side…

James Cathcart May 05, 2025 1 1

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John 21: 4-6 (NIVUK)

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’

‘No,’ they answered.

6 He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Galling, the nerve. A brass suggestion carried unnervingly clear on the unnaturally still water. It shocks and unsettles, the dullness of it, the irrelevance of it. ‘Why not try putting the nets down on the other side?’ Like the fish are all congregated a few yards over, queuing, awaiting only an invitation.

They have no fish and less patience, and no call for armchair anglers. Who is it anyway? Old Zebedee? Peter’s done listening to instructions, done following. For he knows himself to be a poor follower. This leaves him, incidentally, a stranger to himself — as following is all he has known.

His hands though prove less reluctant and he finds himself hauling the nets in and round. The practiced, familiar movement — balance and counter balance — seems strange and alien to him. Is he humouring the auld fella on the beach, is he humouring himself wanting to believe he hasn’t wasted the night? 

Something stirs in the water.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus

How often in our lives do you challenge us to simply change direction on one thing and try again?

Grant us the humility, the patience of imagination

to try again

Amen.