COLLEGE CHAPLAIN

Chapel Update

Live Chapel continues to evolve at the College. It has been a blessing to have some students back on campus on Mondays, so we have been able to have live Bible readings and prayers delivered by our Senior Student Leaders. We have also been regaled by Jillian Porganyi (Portfolio Captain - Arts) and Kodi Fiege (College Captain) singing All Glory Be To Christ live in my office, as well as an entire Year 12 Homeroom singing with gusto this week. 

In these times of isolation it has been a privilege to make connections with students, staff and parents in an online environment, and to cultivate these connections as we gradually return to face to face learning. 

It is a simple thing to stop and be nourished by God’s Word in Chapel, yet when the capacity to meet together was removed in late March, the simple sine qua non of these gatherings has been acutely felt by our College community. This pandemic has churned up most facets of life, and as it subsides somewhat our longing for life’s simple provisions churns within us.

As such, the jarring moment in John 21 of the disciples standing on the shoreline with a miraculous haul of fish, while watching the risen Jesus cook a simple breakfast seemed an apt to consider in Chapel this week. Below is an excerpt from this week’s message:

Jesus hands out their fish wraps and they eat them in stunned silence. John records how he and the other disciples felt at this moment in v12: ‘None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord.’ This is such a powerful line. The disciples know it is the Lord, but they are still so uneasy, so uncertain about everything that they still want to ask Jesus ‘Who are you?’ but they don’t dare.

So much swirling around in their minds. ‘Jesus you were dead, then you appeared out of nowhere in our living room and ate our food. Then you’re walking through locked doors, reading our minds, making fish appear out of nowhere…it’s all too much’.

If you’ve been wrestling with all of this resurrection talk and what it might mean. If you’re beginning to think ‘this might be legit, but it’s all too much’, then take comfort from Jesus’ disciples. They knew Jesus personally, they saw the risen Lord and dumbstruck they just went fishing, struggling to take it all in. That feeling should never leave you if you’re a Christian. The resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith and it is a reality that is to be 100% believed, but it should never stop being unbelievable! Never should we be bored of Jesus smashing death. Feeling bewildered that such an event could take place and take place for you is the right response to have. The disciples had it, and as they stood swirling in their thoughts, Jesus had already provided a meal for them and offered them many more with a netful of fish. 

What’s next for Jesus after Easter? When all is said and done, at the very least, the risen Jesus simply longs to supply our needs, and without him we can do no good thing. We’re just drifting in a confusing and empty boat. So why not come and sit and have breakfast?

Tune into Chapel Live Mondays at 9:30 at or subscribe to the podcast .

Gareth Tyndall | College Chaplain