|
John 21:1-14
Breakfast on the beach with Jesus, as described in today’s gospel, sounds delightful. The disciple John, credited with writing this passage, is adamant about saving the stories where Jesus reveals himself to his disciples post-resurrection. While he might not use the word “delightful” to describe this experience, it fits our 2025 understanding.
It is not a stretch to smell the fish cooking over the open fire or visualize the disciples sitting around that fire with Jesus. In ancient times, as now, many of our profound moments happen around a meal.
This week, I attended a dinner at a local high school for students in the Culinary Arts department. It was billed as a “Gratitude Dinner” and was a department first. The students invited their parents or someone significant in their lives to the dinner to thank them for their support.
The evening was terrific. I wiped away a few tears as the teacher welcomed everyone and the students filed in carrying trays of beautifully prepared food. The school is a Title 1 school, which means that at least 40% of the students come from low-income households. The school receives funds from the federal government to ensure students can access programs designed to improve their academic achievement. The school serves a diverse population and sometimes deals with gang activity. You might question how a culinary arts program would help the students with academic achievement.
Following a recipe requires math, logic, and discipline to adhere to its rules. It also involves reading skills and patience. Sometimes, when cakes don’t rise properly or a sauce is too thin, students must improvise, which taps into their creativity. The students often work in groups, which helps them learn to listen to each other. The class also gives students confidence that they have skills to share. Four years of Latin in high school taxed my brain, and while it had some merit, it did not offer what these students gain in this cooking class.
The value of gratitude is built into the curriculum. Every Tuesday, the students spend time writing in their gratitude journals, and on Thursdays, they are offered the opportunity to share with the class something they are grateful for. According to the teacher, this helps wake them up, gets them in a "good head space," and reminds them that there are many good things in life. It also serves as a way for the students to get to know each other and share stories, building community.
This is a public high school. There is no mention of God, no formal prayer, yet there was an air of warmth at the dinner that was filled with gratitude, which is a form of prayer. Students were initially shy as parents and those standing in for absent parents watched them arrange lavish food trays, including some pretty fancy desserts they had created from scratch. There was a sense of pride, and once the shyness wore off, there were smiles, laughter, and conversation. Watching the pride of the adults in the students and the students' recognition that they had done a great job was a welcome moment.
Returning to today’s gospel story, we read of Jesus choosing this post-resurrection appearance to his disciples while they did something ordinary. He showed up as they were fishing, or trying to fish, as their catch was sparse until he showed up. They did not expect to see or eat a meal again with Jesus. What a thrill it must have been to sit around that fire with him, sharing that meal. It was a profound moment within an ordinary day that changed their lives.
Many profound moments in our ordinary days go unnoticed. I did not expect to be touched as a guest at the Gratitude Dinner, but knowing the daily obstacles some students face helped me realize that, despite stories day after day that break our hearts, there are still good people and good things going on. Being a student in this culinary arts class will change the lives of some of these students not only in terms of knowing how to clarify butter but, more importantly, to realize the power of gratitude.
On another note, we mourned the loss of Pope Francis last week. He left a legacy of mercy, kindness, and courage to speak the truth. This week, we pray that the electors gathered at the Vatican will choose a Pope who will continue to lead with the spirit of Pope Francis.
Peace,
Anne
| 
