Reflection for April 25 Friday in the Octave of Easter: John 21:1-14

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 arrive 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 wanted to go home and rest their very tired bodies. But as they approached the shore, they saw Jesus, who told them to put their empty nets back into the sea. 

They simply obeyed Jesus—and presto! they caught the largest number of fish. We see here in the Gospel that Jesus rewards those who obey Him. We also see the love and care that Jesus gave to His disciples—a love and care that never ends and is not constrained by time or space. 

Why did Jesus appear to His disciples for the third time after His resurrection? Jesus wanted to reassure His disciples that He would never abandon them and that He is still with them 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 the many challenges of life. But we are never alone when we go through these difficult moments. The Risen Christ is with us—ever ready to guide and help us.  

Let us always go to Him, for the Risen Christ is always there for us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas