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:
Do you sometimes feel spiritually weak and empty? You’re not alone,
everyone of us goes through this spiritual dryness. This is the reason why we
sometimes feel spiritually weak and empty.
After the death of Jesus some of the apostles didn’t know that Jesus had
already risen. So they went back to their former work feeling spiritually empty
and weak nonetheless they have to move on with their lives. Feeling weak and
empty they went fishing and they returned ashore without any catch at all.
Then afterwards, lo and behold the risen Christ appeared before them and
He said to them, have you caught any fish? They said no, so Jesus told them to
throw it once again onto the water, consequently they did. And they caught so
many fish that they couldn’t bring it anymore to shore.
In their emptiness and weariness Jesus appeared to them to give them hope
and to give them strength. To tell them that I am again here with you, I have
risen, I have not abandoned you all even for a single second. I was with you as
you struggle with my death on the cross as I was with you as you felt your emptiness
and loneliness. Never have I abandoned you!
The same is what Jesus is telling us all today as we also struggle with
our journey with Him. As we feel and face our own moments of emptiness,
helplessness and loneliness caused by this horrifying Covid-19 pandemic. –
Marino J. Dasmarinas
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