Reflection for May 4 Third Sunday of Easter: John 21:1-19

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:

The story is told of a mother who would always pray to the Lord to help her make her children responsible, loving and successful. When her children grew older and had their own respective families, they became very responsible, loving and successful. The mother would always thank the Lord for granting her prayer for her children.

Do you always seek the guidance of 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, still grieving and feeling lost because of Jesus’ death, the disciples reverted to their livelihood as fishermen. They went fishing by their own effort, and perhaps they forgot about the Lord—thinking that He had not risen.

Then, out of nowhere, 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 has 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 seeking the guidance of the Lord, we will end up with nothing. Every activity or endeavor that we pursue without the Lord’s guidance is ultimately meaningless and empty.

But the moment we ask Jesus to be our guiding light in the pursuit of our goals and life’s endeavors, we will surely be able to achieve them—for the simple reason that we have 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 filled with purpose. We only need to do one thing—and that is to ask for His help and guidance.

Do you always pray for the Lord’s help and guidance as you pass through the many challenges of your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas