Holy Gospel according to Saint John 21, 1-19

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
Jesus said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Recognize the Lord

1) Worries. There are moments when you feel physically tired, because work binds you and there are many people who have two jobs because otherwise, they would not make ends meet. Think also of those who have to do the housework and take care of the family and so many other chores; they feel fatigue as well. Then there is psychological tiredness that makes you turn your problems round and round in your head all the time, not being able to find a solution. At times you get so overwhelmed that you lock yourself up so as not to talk to anyone, you even avoid people because just listening to them makes you exhausted. There is even spiritual tiredness which is the result of living a religion of compliance, of fulfilling norms and even going to mass, but without looking after your spirit properly. This spiritual tiredness of living a religion without spirituality is dangerous and can even be felt by a priest or nun, they must take care not to live mass as a stage representation instead of an intimate communication with the Lord.

2) Let yourself be guided. At a moment of the apostles’ great weariness because they had been trying to catch fish all night, Jesus appears. He directs and guides them where to go and how to achieve results after so many failures. Because Jesus seeks to help you; if you try to do everything on your own, with your own strength, you will end up exhausted and bitter. Don’t stop looking for Jesus and let Him guide you, even if you feel failure and pain, give yourself one more chance, go within yourself and listen to God’s voice. I know it is difficult but try, calm down and be quiet to listen, recognize that you cannot solve everything yourself. When you let yourself be guided by God, then you will recognize the Lord.

3) Do you love me? Today Jesus asks you this question. To love and to want are not the same thing; to love is to give oneself and to want is to desire to have, to acquire. Loving is your spiritual process. When learning to love you will learn that following Jesus escapes the passionate and affective, because He shows you a way of life in which only Heaven and Jesus are your reward, your fulfillment and happiness. You must learn that you will not be able to have everything, but you will discover that a true, deep spiritual life will help you find God in yourself and in those around 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.