Daily Gospel Reflection April 17th 2020
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.
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.
Dear Friends and Family,
Peter has not been fishing in three years and today he decides to pick it up again, why? Peter is a template for all of us. He has encountered the Risen Jesus and is amazed and astounded, but Peter also realizes he has failed the one relationship that matters most, when he denied Jesus. Peter probably thinks his status as “The Rock” will soon be revoked and he will have to do something to provide for himself. So he returns to what he knows, fishing. There are only two places in all of Scripture where a charcoal fire is mentioned; the night Peter denied Jesus, Peter warmed himself by a charcoal fire, and right here as they bring in the catch of fish and find a charcoal fire cooking fish. This is the moment Peter has been dreading, the moment he will have to pay the price for his rejection of Jesus. He imagines that Jesus will cut him loose and he will have to make his own way in the world, apart from Jesus. Thank God that is not how the story ends for Peter or for us.
We know that Jesus gives Peter a chance to redeem himself by professing his love for Jesus. Peter gladly tells Jesus that he loves him, three times, once for each denial. Once Peter professes his love, all is restored. How often have we turned our back on Jesus and returned to our brokenness? Dreading the moment we will have to account for our sinfulness. Peter and Jesus show us the path we are all invited to take. Peter professes his love for Jesus and Jesus on his part restores Peter to his place in the community. We have that same opportunity in the Sacrament of Reconciliation when we go to our priest and tell him how we have denied Jesus and turned our back on our God. Then our priest, in the person of Jesus, forgives us, and restores us to our community. This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday, it’s a special celebration that opens the flood gates of Jesus Divine Mercy upon us all. Take advantage of the graces of this Sunday, pray the prayers and ask for the Mercy of Jesus Christ to heal and restore us. Let us pray, when the threat of this pandemic has past, we will all return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be redeemed by the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment