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 arrives 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 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 just a whisper away from us. - Marino J.
Dasmarinas
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