The Latin word for the Church is Ecclesia. And this word ecclesia has the meaning of ‘gathering of the summoned’. As well shown in her name, one essence of the Church is the gathering of the faithful. It is well demonstrated in the book of Exodus. God called the people of Israel out of Egypt to worship himself. This being called out and gathering as a people prefigures the Church, the Ecclesia. But the pandemic has been preventing the faithful from gathering. And, as a result, it has been oppressing the essential element of the Christian faith.
Against this new unfavourable situation, Christians have tried different ways to substitute for the gathering. But have we been successful?
Today’s gospel tells us an episode of the disciples’ meeting with Jesus after his resurrection. The disciples went fishing. Some of them were fishermen for livelihood. But they did not catch even one little fish for themselves that night. Their nets were empty every time they threw them. Only when the risen Jesus came to them directing where to throw their nets, they finally caught fish, more than they could handle! That was not the end of the story. When the disciples arrived at the shore, Jesus already prepared a meal for them. And he fed everyone just as he had miraculously fed thousands of people with bread and fish.
At our parish, after Masses, the faithful can receive the Communion. Still, our Lord feeds us when we gather although we cannot enter our parish church building. Do we receive the Communion only? No. I am sure our Lord Jesus fills our nets, too. When we gather, he still allows us to enjoy more grace than we can handle. When we gather in his name, we are no longer individuals. We are his Mystical Body.
