Tuesday in the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time at Mississippi Abbey

Peter said, “We have left everything and followed you.  What then shall we have?”  

One afternoon a man was sitting on a beautiful beach casting a fishing line into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the sun and the prospect of catching a fish.

A businessman came walking down the beach, trying to relieve the stress he was under. He noticed the fisherman and said, “You aren’t going to catch many fish that way. You should be fishing from a boat rather than sitting on the beach!”  The man looked up, smiled and replied, “And what good will that do?”  He answered, “Well, you will catch more fish!”

“And then what will I do?” The businessman replied, “You can sell the fish and buy a larger boat to catch even more.”

“And what will I do then?” The businessman was getting a little irritated.  He said, “You can hire some people to work for you!”

“And after that?” repeated the fisherman.  The businessman replied, “You can build up a fleet of fishing boats and let your employees catch fish for you!”

Once again, the fisherman asked, “And then what?”  Annoyed, the businessman said, “You will become rich and not have to work for your living again! You can spend the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won’t have a care in the world!”  The fisherman, smiling, replied, “And what do you think I’m doing right now?”

Peter asked, “What then shall we have?”  But, Peter, look at what you already have. The friendship and love of Jesus, Revelation, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit! Perhaps we also look too much for what we shall have in the future and miss the enjoyment of our friendship with Jesus right now.