Surprise and delight

For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes McEntyre's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and blog content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

I love Don Juel’s description of Jesus as a “master of surprise.” The ways Jesus reveals himself to his followers in the post-resurrection stories testify to his delight in surprising those who love him, and whom he loves.

Jesus’ moments of self-revelation are not only world-shaking but intimate, relational, invitational and even clever. Today’s story has an element of an affectionate practical joke. Jesus doesn’t interrupt the disciples’ work of the moment; he invites them to engage more deeply in it, and in doing so to recognize him first in the abundant blessing it yields. They’re fishermen, so he says, effectively, “Watch this” and multiplies fish—again.