Reflection for April 14, Friday in the Octave of Easter: John 21:1-14

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 and emptiness. This is the reason why we sometimes feel spiritually weak, vulnerable 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 moved 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 in this world. As we feel and face our own moments of emptiness, helplessness and loneliness caused by the many life challenges that we continuously face. – Marino J. Dasmarinas