Conception Abbey

Listen to the Voice of Jesus

Listen to the voice of Jesus

First of all I have added a few more photos from the oblate retreat and other oblate pictures. Click here. Pictures were taken by Kevin Heim, Novice John, Karen Walts and Fr. Kenneth

If you want to read more about the approval of THE REVISED GRAIL PSALTER, translated by Abbot Gregory and the monks of Conception Abbey, go here.

In the Gospel for this 3rd Sunday of Easter, it seems like the Apostles who were fishermen before being called by Jesus, had pretty well decided to go back to their regular work after the death of Jesus. Perhaps they were not yet convinced that he had risen. So they go out to fish at night. They spend most of the night fishing but catch nothing. But then this person appears on the shore (they did not know it was Jesus) and he tells them to throw the net off to the right side of the boat. Peter and the others, professional fishermen, must have wondered about this man telling them how to fish. But, it is interesting that Peter listened to this man. And then they made a great catch of fish. Only then did the "beloved disciple" say "It is the Lord." Peter immediately jumps in the water to swim to the shore.

Peter had of course denied he even knew Jesus at the trial. But now after they had eaten the breakfast that Jesus served them, Jesus questions Peter three times: "Do you love me more than these?" and each time Peter answers "Yes," and each time Jesus tells him to "feed my sheep." This was the way Peter and the other apostles would show their love for Jesus, the Risen Lord. In the readings from the Acts of the Apostles that we hear after Easter we see how the Apostles, and first followers of Jesus, carried this out. They preached the Word, they preached the Gospel, to others.

What is important for us is that we listen to the Lord. Peter, who probably thought he knew all that could be known about fishing, still listened when told to cast the net to the other side of the boat. We also need to listen to the Lord and to respond to that Word. We cannot feed others unless we first nourish ourselves. This we do especially at the Eucharist but also by listening. Listen carefully to the Word of God. Listen carefully to the scriptures when they are read. And we need to listen carefully with the heart. Listen to God in one another, in nature, in our crosses and sufferings, as well as in our joys. The Risen Lord Jesus continues to be with us. Only by listening can we go out and take the message of the Gospel to others.

God bless you all during this Easter season.