John 21:1-14

Acts 4:1-12

Psalm 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a

John 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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, this entire week I am contemplating the mystery of your Son’s Resurrection. Help me to keep this mystery always before my mind and heart as I journey toward the day of my death and resurrection and my definitive encounter with you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Third Time the Risen Jesus Was Revealed: According to John, the revelation at the Sea of Galilee (also known as the Sea of Tiberias) was the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples. The first time was on the first day of the week, on the Sunday after his passion and death. On that first day, Jesus appeared throughout the entire day to various disciples and, in the evening, to those gathered together in Jerusalem. Jesus appeared a second time on the eighth day, once again on a Sunday, when Thomas was present with the other disciples. The third appearance, according to the Gospel of John, takes place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The disciples likely traveled for five days to Galilee from Jerusalem, having spent the week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Jerusalem. They likely rested on the Sabbath after their five-day journey. When evening came and night fell, Peter and six other disciples began fishing on the Sea of Galilee. On Sunday morning, Jesus calls out to the tired fishermen from the shore and asks them whether they caught anything. It is not by chance that the appearances and revelation of the Risen Jesus happen each week on Sunday. Every Sunday we too encounter the risen Jesus in the Word of God and in the Bread of Life. The place of the miraculous catch of fish also recalls the previous sign of the multiplication of the loaves and fish (John 6:1-15). Just as the risen Jesus provides a meal with Eucharistic overtones to the crowds and to his disciples, so also his disciples are to go and bring all nations to the table of the Eucharist, feed them with the Word of God, and give them the Bread of Life.

2. Fishing according to the Word: Jesus’ seven disciples – Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two others – caught nothing by themselves. However, following the indications of Christ, they caught a great number of fish – 153 to be exact. Unlike the earlier scene in the Gospel of Luke (5:6), the net of fish was not torn. Thomas Aquinas interprets this to mean that the Church in this world – signified by the torn net – can be ripped by heresy. But in the future, in heaven – signified by the unbroken net – there will be no schisms and peace will reign. The untorn net symbolizes the unity of Jesus’ disciples and the Church’s mission. “The disciples, whom the risen Jesus has sent into the world, are to go and bear witness to him, much as they go out fishing. Without Jesus’ assistance, they will fail in their mission. But if they are obedient to him and cooperate with the Spirit working in them, they will bring others to faith in Jesus […]. The disciples are to bring all people to Christ, just as they bring the catch to him. Illumined by the Church’s tradition, the scene of Peter hauling the untorn net ashore can be seen as indicating the special role of Peter’s ministry in the apostolic mission of bringing disciples to Christ and preserving their unity” (Martin and Wright, The Gospel of John, p. 350).

3. The Trial of Peter and John: In the Acts of the Apostles, we find Peter proclaiming the truth of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. He is interrupted by the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees. The Sadducees, in particular, did not believe in a resurrection. Peter and John are arrested and judged the following day by the seventy-one members of the Sanhedrin. Unlike his timid responses to the servant girl on the night of Jesus' trial, Peter is fearless and is filled with the Holy Spirit. He proclaims that the crippled man was healed in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the stone, rejected by the elders of Israel, who has become the cornerstone of God's New Temple. Faith in Jesus bestows forgiveness of sins and salvation, and there is no salvation through anyone else. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus is the Lord of all and the judge of the living and the dead. Jesus is the one mediator between God and men. Jesus Christ continues his presence and work of salvation in the Church and by means of the Church, which is his body (See Declaration Dominus Iesus: On the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church, n. 16).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you revealed yourself to your disciples and gave them the grace, courage, and strength to proclaim your resurrection to the entire world. Empower me like your disciples with your Holy Spirit to be a bold witness to your resurrection.

Living the Word of God: Do I see each Sunday mass as an encounter with the risen Christ? How can I better prepare for this encounter and help my family and friends also experience the merciful love of God in the mass?