Holy Gospel according to Saint John 21, 1-14
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
It is the Lord!
1) I am going fishing. We see the situation of a surrendered apostle, who feels defeated and fallen. He seeks to clear his mind because he feels tension. And in this absence of peace, there is division. Not everyone goes with him. This is what often happens to us, when we feel we have failed… we feel depressed and fragmented. In the face of failure, even families break apart and become divided. It is in those moments that everyone points to different sides… without peace it is easier to be divided.
2) Cast the net. Jesus points out, shows, marks. He knows about failure; even about that failure of what they were experts in: fishing. Those are the moments when you don’t get a single thing right. It is then that we see and recognize Jesus. How often does everything come out wrong? It seems everything is against you and above all God asks you for more. It is in those moments when you will see Jesus.
3) He is the Lord. Peter recognizes Him and he goes towards Him. How nice it is to jump into something to meet the Lord. Throw yourself into the sea, seek the Lord! Do not wait any longer. If you have heard His voice, go to Him! He is waiting for you and wants to share time and your life with you. Today the risen Christ asks you to give Him your heart. Go for it, He is waiting for you.
God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And don’t forget that Heaven is our goal!
