This month, on the Third Sunday of Easter, we hear the account from John’s Gospel of the second miraculous catch of fish, which takes place after the resurrection. In selecting the art for this month’s cover, we chose to zoom in on a portion of the stained-glass image focused on the disciples’ unsuccessful effort to haul in the overloaded net. While this choice was mainly for visual interest, as I have spent more time with this detail, I have come to a greater appreciation for what some aspects of the event can teach me about my relationship with Jesus.

In the narrative, the disciples have been out fishing all night and have caught nothing until Jesus tells them to cast the net over the right side of the boat. Then, according to John, they “were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish.” The Gospel text never uses the words “miracle” or “miraculous,” but it is clear that Jesus guides the disciples to one more cast of the net with overwhelming results. In pondering the text alongside the visual practicing visio and lectio divina simultaneously—it occurred to me that, while Jesus led them toward something amazing, even miraculous, the disciples never had any real control over the situation, even as they tried with all their might. The strain is clear in the hands and legs of the disciples working to pull in the heavy net, but all they can do is roll with the situation. They drag the net behind the boat as they approach the shore. Only the Lord seems to understand the situation.

Honestly, the more I consider this image and the story of the disciples’ unfolding relationship with the Risen One, the more I realize that straining to control where the Lord leads is fruitless. Sometimes, we just have to roll with it.