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 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 onto the
sea.
They simply 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 Christ is also 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