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Gospel Reading for May 04, 2025 – John 21: 1-19
PEACEFUL AND QUIET
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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Jesus’ coming back was just so very PEACEFUL AND QUIET. It was such a big contrast to a very active 3-year ministry of moving here and there, teaching crowds and healing everywhere. Except for Judas, they were back to their very simple life of fishing. What were they thinking? Did they think that it was the end of their journey? They did not even recognize Jesus had they not caught so much fish after a night of catching nothing. One can imagine hearing the waves washing up on the shore . . . He did not admonish them for abandoning him when he needed them most. He did not also ask them to tell people he rose from the dead. All that he did was prepare them for what was coming. He breathed the Spirit upon them and gave them authority to forgive and not to. But the highlight was, Jesus’ sending them on the same mission AS THE FATHER SENT HIM. We can say, “Wow!”
Jesus’ asking Peter three times if he loved him was not to remind Peter of the three times he denied him. Three times in the Bible signifies something of great importance. This is because unless we truly love Jesus, it will be so very difficult to follow him. Since the mission he gives us through the apostles is from him, it will require everything that Jesus would do if he were still to be physically present. We are asked to feed the hungry even if they are not our family, our relatives or acquaintances. We are asked to forgive however great the wrong to us. These are but a few, but the one thing that may be asked of us, that almost all the apostles had to go through, is to be martyrs for the Faith. The apostles and early Christians had to go through great difficulty and persecution when they started propagating the Faith. The early Missionaries or those who had to introduce Jesus for the first time in remote areas of the world also went through great difficulty and persecution.
The Catholic Church is called an APOSTOLIC CHURCH because all of us who become members of the Church receive our mission from Jesus through the apostles. Let us not waste their sacrifice of life and blood by taking for granted the grace to partake of the Holy Eucharist and attending events that have to do with the Faith. Catholic Churches are everywhere in the Philippines! It is indeed such a great opportunity! Let us live Jesus!
Jesus, Lord of the Resurrection, all glory and praise to you forever and ever!
