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:
Do you sometimes feel abandoned by
Jesus? There are times that we go through some arid stages in our life. We feel
abandoned by our friends, relative and even Jesus, But does Jesus abandon us?
Never will the Lord abandon us.
With the death of Jesus the disciples
had no other option but to go back to their former way of life none other than
fishing. It must have been difficult for them to go back to fishing for they’ve
been detached from it for three long years. Perhaps they even thought that they
would never go back to fishing but their Lord and Master died on the cross.
Therefore, there was no other choice
for them but to go back to their former job as fishermen. From being fishers of
men they go back again to being real fishermen. After three long years they
went fishing for the very first time, it must been very hard for them. Perhaps
when they were at sea they were still thinking of Jesus and terribly longing
for His presence. That’s why they failed to concentrate on fishing so they
caught nothing.
Then the feeling of weariness,
loneliness and the feeling of being abandoned was immediately replaced by joy
and hope when they saw Jesus waiting for them ashore. Jesus asked them, have
you caught anything? They said none, then Jesus told them put once again your
nets at sea where you are right now. No need for you to go far, drop it where
you are right now! And then the miracle happened they caught an enormous number
of fish.
Relating this gospel with our personal journey with Jesus. There would also be episodes of weariness, loneliness and perhaps feeling of abandonment. But in the midst of these episodes let us continue to have faith in the Lord for Jesus will make His way back to us when we least expect it. Never will the Lord abandon us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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