We do not have to focus on these larger issues to contemplate today's Gospel. We can look at our own lives, our relationships with a partner, spouse, a family member, a friend, a business associate, and ask: are we focused on the wrong side of the boat, being blind to opportunities and answers that are right there beside us, unseen, unacknowledged.

We can get lost exploring this question: to what are we blind. Jesus points a way for us though. By coming to this eucharistic table, with open eyes, not being transfixed on one side of the boat, allowing ourselves to be nourished and cherished by Jesus' feeding us, and allowing that cherishing love to send us forth, to feed his lambs, tend his sheep, feed his sheep, by following Jesus with our eyes open, perhaps we can find that abundance offered to us that is on the other side of the boat. I am not saying all answers will come to us if we partake in this eucharistic meal. I am saying that by partaking we will have a strong foundation on which to search for answers.

During Holy Week, we heard Jesus issue a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. It is through this love of each other that we will be recognized as disciples of Jesus. It is through Jesus' unfailing love of us, his nourishment of us, and our reciprocal love of him and each other, that allows us to turn from being focused on one side of the boat where there are no fish to be caught, to the abundant other side. Perhaps we will hear that call across still waters directing us on another path...to look elsewhere. This is difficult. There are no easy answers. This is a lifetime's work. Jesus' unifying, intimate and mutual love for each of us will assist in our contemplating the question being posed by this Gospel today. This love helps to bring us to this nourishing table with open eyes. This love helps us to respond to Jesus when he says "Follow me" allowing us to go forth to feed, tend and feed. This love helps us fight our blindness to what is right there beside us.....To what are we blind?