PARISH NEWS

Drowning Worms

Fishing doesn’t “float my boat” but even so I’ve often heard the expression “gunna drown some worms”, or “drop a line in”. It is a favourite Australian stress buster.

Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection are of course the primary images of the Easter season (and our Christian lives). But have a glance too at this third resurrection appearance in John’s gospel where the disciples seem to have found it all too hard, so they’ve gone fishing (John 21:1-19). No lines or worms here but we can imagine Peter saying to at least half his mates, “Wanna drop a net?”

Over a hundred kilometres north of Jerusalem, the fears, triumphs and intense spiritual experience of the resurrection are far behind them. They probably figure they need a stress buster! A safe, familiar circuit breaker from the disturbing challenges of the Jerusalem experience. How easy it is to slip back into comfortable, familiar ways of thinking and behaving!

But, to mangle a saying, disciples fishing on the Sea of Tiberias are safe, but that’s not what disciples are called to do. This is the juncture in John’s account when the fellowship finally takes off. Peter, it seems, takes charge as vicar and the apostles take his lead because the reading from Acts (Acts 5:27-32, 40-41) tells of the disciples back in Jerusalem obediently and courageously “stirring the possum”, “filling Jerusalem with (their) teaching” about Jesus. The authorities are not happy and the disciples know where that leads. They’d rather be fishing but “obedience to God comes before obedience to men” and “we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him” are witnesses to Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. We are called to a share in that mission, in whatever way we witness, even when we’d rather be fishing.

Deacon Mark Kelly

PRAYER BOXES

Our Foundation to Grade 2 will have the opportunity to take home a class prayer box and bag to share with their family. Families are invited to use the prayer box to pray with their family.  Inside the prayer bags, families will find resources to help them pray together as a family. The children know how to set up and lead the prayer. Families are also invited to write their own prayers in the Prayer journal provided.

CLASS MASS

Sacrament Enquiries:  Mrs Therese Meggetto

Mobile: 0439 306 642 Email: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au