Gospel: Jn 21:1–14*
(…) When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not
know that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, “Friends, have you anything to eat?” They
answered, “Nothing.” Then he said to them, “Throw the net on the right side of the boat and
you will find something.” When they had lowered the net, they were not able to pull it in
because of the great number of fish. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter,
“It’s the Lord!” At these words, “It’s the Lord!” Simon Peter put on his clothes, for he was
stripped for work, and jumped into the water. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging
the net full of fish; they were not far from land, about a hundred meters.
When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said
to them, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed into the boat
and pulled the net to shore. It was full of big fish one hundred and fifty-three but, in spite of this,
the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” And not one of the disciples dared to
ask him, “Who are you?” for they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it
to them, and he did the same with the fish. (...)
Reflection:
This is the third time Jesus shows Himself to His disciples not counting
His appearance to the women who went to His tomb. First is with the two
disciples on the road to Emmaus, the second is with the gathered disciples in the
room, and now some of the disciples that went fishing in the Lake Tiberias. It was one
of those nights when fishes don’t bite. They caught nothing. Their luck is as
dark as the night that they went fishing. But with the advent of dawn, their luck
changed. A stranger told them to lower their nets on the right side of the boat
and they caught plenty of fishes. It is John who recognizes the Lord first.
After all he is the beloved. But it was Peter who approached the Lord first.
The loaves and the fish that awaited them on the shore is too familiar an experience
for them. They could not be mistaken. Their Lord is truly risen from the dead.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021
