Today’s find: Easter bounty

I think even Peter—and his post-Resurrection fishing crew—might be impressed.

The gospel passage we heard at Mass today reports that they were astonished at the catch from the Sea of Tiberias when they cast their net “over the right side of the boat.”

So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

Not a bad haul.

But maxing out at 12.75 dozen, it pales in comparison to the “cookie quota” that every member of the Menard Kairos Prison Ministry team is expected to bring to our final formation meeting on Saturday.

We’re each on the hook for 40 dozen cookies.

40 dozen…times 36 teammates…for a grand total of 17,280 homemade treats.

And here’s the incredible thing: We’ll probably surpass the goal. We typically do, all through the generosity of legions of bakers across the Christian communities from which we hail.

Little wonder, then, that as I assembled “my” baskets of goodies in our kitchen this evening, the sorting exercise turned into a moment of Paschal gratitude. It’s really hard to comprehend all the love poured out, right before my eyes. All the love…and labor…and prayers, now neatly packed into quart-size ziplock bags…and sitting atop our island counter.

Like Peter and the other disciples, I dare not ask Who is the ultimate source of this Easter bounty…

I dare not ask…because I know: It is the Lord!

Let us pause now…to recall that we are in the presence of the Holy & Merciful One.

IHS