10-Apr-15

Gospel JN 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.
Reflection:
This gospel story is told in such a way as to make it perfectly clear that the Resurrected Jesus has returned to life in his human form. Every detail of this gospel is written so as to leave no doubt that the Risen Jesus is fully human.
The Resurrected Jesus came to Peter and his disciples while they were engaged in their everyday work of fishing, just as he did at the beginning of the gospels when he walked beside the Sea of Galilee and saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake.
Now, near the end of the gospel of John, in one of his final post resurrection appearances, Jesus again engages Peter and the other apostles while they are at work fishing.
Jesus actually assists them in their labors, directing them to a school of fish which he can see from the shore. It is often the case when fishing that the fisherman is too close to the water to detect fish that others may see at a distance. I have often had a friend holler to me, "Jim, cast to your left. I just saw a fish ripple the water there."
Today's gospel tells us that 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."
Jesus already had a fire going, and had bread and fish prepared, offering it to them when they came ashore.
Just as he was with the apostles, the Resurrected Jesus is among us in our everyday life. He is with us while we work and while we eat. He is with us in all that we do.
But, do I recognize him? And, if so, do I rush to greet him as Peter did? Or, do I hold back, reluctant to walk away from those things of the world that hold me captive.
The truth is, my faith journey does not proceed forward in a straight path. At times, I rush towards the Lord. At other times, engrossed in my own pursuits, I turn and walk away.
Jesus, however, never turns away from me, but is always patiently waiting for me to turn toward him again.
"For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love."
Lamentations 3:31-32