Gospel: John 21:1-19

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.

It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.

As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’
In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’

John 21:1-19

Reflection:

Today’s gospel is from John 21:1-19 which reminds us of the role of Simon Peter in the church of God. In the gospel from John 21:1-19, it is the third time that the Lord appeared to His disciples after resurrection. 

As the disciples went fishing, Jesus waited for them at the shore. The disciples did not realize that it was Jesus waiting for them. Jesus asked them if they caught some fishes and they answered “no”. So Jesus ordered them to throw the net out and they will find something. Much to their astonishment the net could not occupy the heavy load of fish they caught. Then the disciple whom Jesus love realized it first that it was Jesus.

The gospel from John 21:1-19 also remind us that it when Jesus gave Simon Peter the responsibility to be the rock. It means Simon Peter have the greatest responsibility in the church of God. Although this time Jesus asked Simon Peter three times if Simon loved Him. 

Realization:

In the gospel from John 21:1-19, we are the disciples and Jesus regardless of not seeing Him, know that He is with us. The disciples did not ask Jesus of His identity because they knew that it was Him. 

As we live our lives doing different things, we are also bonded with the reality that Jesus looks at us. He never abandons us from the day we were born. He made sure that we are all doing fine. Regardless of the status of life we have, we must always remember Him.

Most of the times we preoccupied by the things in this world. I myself is always looking for ways to survive with all my debts and loans. The only thing that is making me strong is the sureness that God is always there for me. 

When times get rough, never forget to ask God what your heart desires and He will give in as soon as you need it. Not all people might understand this great miracle of faith but if you read this, know that God is always with you. – Clea | Helpline PH