John 21:1-14

Acts 4:1-12

Psalm 1181-2 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. How Many Resurrection Appearances? John gives us a clue as to how many times Jesus appeared to his disciples as a group in the 40 days between his resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven. John tells us that the appearance on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee) was “the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples.” The first appearance, to the group of disciples, was on Easter Sunday. The second was a week later, once again on Sunday. The risen Jesus indicated several times that his disciples were to go to Galilee. Since it took almost a week to walk from Jerusalem to Capernaum, the third appearance, narrated in today’s Gospel, likely took place on Sunday morning, after the Sabbath rest and a night of fishing. If the appearances of Jesus continued to take place on Sundays, we can postulate that the fourth appearance was the one that took place on an unnamed mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20). A fifth likely corresponds the appearance to the 500 narrated by Paul (see 1 Corinthians 15:6). After the Apostles traveled back to Jerusalem in preparation for the Feast of Pentecost, a sixth appearance could likely have taken place on Sunday in Jerusalem. A seventh and final appearance was on Ascension Thursday, forty days after the resurrection. Now, we can only speculate about the number, timing, and places of the resurrection appearances after the third, but since the first two took place on Sunday and since we have to account for a week-long journey to Galilee, John could be hinting at something by numbering the first three appearances. Both John’s Gospel and the Book of Revelation employ the number seven, a number that was symbolic of the covenant. And so, seven resurrection appearances make sense.

2. Lessons from Sunday Resurrection Appearances: The appearances of the risen Jesus seem to be connected especially to the first day of the week, Sunday, and to meals. Jesus often eats in the presence of his disciples or, as in today’s Gospel, prepares a meal for them. What Jesus was doing by appearing once a week throughout the 40 days was preparing the early Church to encounter him on Sunday in the Eucharist. Just as the disciples of Emmaus recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, so also Christians down through the centuries are to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist.

3. The Symbol of the 153 Fish: John loves numbers and their symbolism. He employs the number seven in the Gospel and in Revelation to signify the covenant and perfection. What could the number 153 symbolize? One possibility is that it signifies the expression “I Am God” in Hebrew, which totals the number 153. According to this interpretation, Jesus is declaring his divinity through the sign of the miraculous catch of fish. Another interpretation has to do with the 153 different species of fish known by the ancient world. Simon Peter, in hauling ashore the net full of fish from the sea to Jesus, symbolizes how the Church, entrusted to the care of Peter and the other apostles, will welcome the Gentiles from every nation into the Church. The nets of salvation and the Church are not torn by welcoming the Gentiles.

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?