The mission to speak in the name of Jesus is great, but so is the opposition.    In the previous Sundays of Easter, the readings have shown the disciples still locked in place for fear [of the Jews] and how Jesus appears to them to give them His peace.  Today’s readings show they are starting to come out of their place of fear, and it seems like they are carrying about with their daily activities.   Going back to what they knew how to do best, their job as fishermen.  Things were getting back to normal without Jesus present.  However, Jesus makes an appearance to provide sustenance for the mission.  He makes breakfast for them which is an allusion to the Eucharist.  It is the Eucharist that gives strength to carry out the mission.  It is precisely the Eucharist that is the mission.  To bring closer people to Christ so they can experience His Eucharistic love.  Jesus knew the journey ahead would be tough, so proper sustenance needed to be given.   And the opposition came fast.  The high priest was ready to question along with the Sanhedrin the mission of the disciples and strictly ordered them to stop teaching in that name.   They could not muster to even mention the name of Jesus and put it in a very derogatory way.  The order was clear: stop preaching in his name, or else the captain and the court officers were close at hand to enforce their order and for the disciples to suffer the consequences with corporal punishment and even with their lives if necessary.   The disciples would have not had the necessary strength to say “We must obey God rather than men” if they had not been strengthened by Jesus in the Eucharist for the mission.  In the same way, it is important as His disciples today to continue to be strengthened for the mission by participating in the Eucharist. It is there, the Lord, the Risen One, who wants to feed his “Children” with a tender love, and with his very presence.   The mission is great because there are many fish out there in the world still randomly swimming away from God.  The Gospel tells there were one hundred and fifty-three large fish which was a symbol of the multitude of nations that needed salvation. The fish are those souls still moving away from the love of God. The need is great to cast the net over the right side so many more may enter the church to experience His love in the Eucharist.  The opposition to this mission is worth it, because in the end the reward for holding steadfast will be given by the gift of eternal life. There those who remain, even after persecutions, will be able to behold the Lamb that was slain and forever sing His praises, to give Him “honor, and glory” and praise forever.