Gospel: John
21:1-14
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.
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Reflection:
What is
the scenario when fishermen come home after long hours of fishing at sea? They
naturally want to go home and rest their tired bodies.
This was
the situation when the fishermen arrived from their long hours of fishing
without any catch. They simply want to go home and rest their very tired
bodies. But as they approach the shore
they saw Jesus who told the fishermen to put their empty nets back to the sea.
They
simple obeyed Jesus and presto they’ve caught the biggest number of fish. We
see here in the gospel that Jesus rewards those who obey Him. We see also the
love and care that Jesus gave to His disciples. Love and care that never ends
and not constrained by time and space.
Why did
Jesus appear to His disciples for the third time after His resurrection? Jesus
wanted to reassure His disciples that He will never abandon them and that He is
still with them in every step of the way. As if saying to His disciples, I am always
with you wherever you go ever ready to guide and help you.
Humans as
we are we also pass through episodes of weariness, tiredness and frustrations
brought about by our many life challenges. We are never alone when we pass
through these challenging episodes of life. The Risen Jesus is also with us
ever ready to guide and help us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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