Gospel: 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.”
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Reflection:
A mother would always pray to the Lord to help
her make her children responsible and loving. When her children became older
and had their own respective families, they became very responsible and loving.
And the mother would always thank the Lord for granting her prayer for her
children.
Do you always pray to the Lord Jesus Christ
whenever you want to achieve something in your life? Do you always ask the Lord
to help you realize it?
In the gospel, the disciples reverted back to
their livelihood as fishermen. So they went fishing by their own effort and
perhaps they forgot about the Lord. Because they thought that the Lord has not
risen.
Then, lo and behold; as they approached the
shore the risen Christ was already there waiting. Jesus said to them,
“Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No (John
21:5)”. Jesus 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 large number of fish (John 21:6).
We see the miraculous influence that Jesus had
in the lives of the disciples. When they went fishing without Jesus they caught
nothing but when Jesus came into the picture they caught plenty of fish.
This gospel scenario is also applicable in our
daily lives. If we do things by ourselves without asking the guidance of the
Lord, we end up with nothing. Every activity or any endeavor that we do in this
world without the guidance of the Lord is meaningless and empty.
But the moment we ask Jesus to be our guiding
light in the achievement of our lives endeavors and goals. We surely would be
able to achieve it for the simple reason that we invoked the guidance and help
of the Lord.
Jesus is alive and risen! He makes the
impossible possible no matter how difficult it may seem. He gives hope to the
hopeless, He makes a meaningless life meaningful and with purpose. We only need
to do one thing and that is to ask for His help and guidance.
Do you always ask the help and guidance of the
Lord as you wade through the many challenges of your life? – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
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