John 21:1-19

1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the 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. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Rehabilitating the Apostles' Faith and Mission

Between the Resurrection and the Ascension, the Risen Lord continues to appear to His disciples, including the apostles.

On His way up to Jerusalem, He was telling them about His Passion. At the Last Supper He promised to precede them into Galilee after His Resurrection, Matthew 26:32. However, even after Jesus appeared to them in today's Gospel, they are still hesitant and uncertain about what is next.

St. John tells us that seven of them decided to return to Galilee to go fishing. Those who have been chosen to become fishers of men are again looking for fish in the sea.

It seems that Simon-Peter and his six companions feel that they have lost three years of their lives in vain and it is time to restart their professions from before they followed Jesus.

Their first night of fishing is useless. At dawn they begin to gather their empty nets, exhausted, when a voice from the shore addresses them, "Children, have you anything to eat?" (v. 5). Then He asks them to cast their net to the right and, when they do so, they have a wonderful catch. At this point John realizes that the man on the shore is nobody else but Jesus. Spontaneously he says to Peter, "It is the Lord!" (v. 7).

Meanwhile Jesus is preparing breakfast for the disciples. Once they are out of the water, the considerate Lord, who appreciates the efforts of His disciples, asks them to bring some of the fish they caught. He then invites them to take breakfast and He serves them.

"None of the disciples dared to ask 'Who are you?' because they knew that it was the Lord" (v. 12). Even today, according to local church tradition, pilgrims can see and touch the rock known to be where this took place. It’s called Mensa Christi, "The Table of Christ."

After their meal, the Risen Christ goes further when He asks Peter twice if he loves Him Agapas me, "with the highest degree of love?" This is the divine and unconditional love that expects no reward, love known as Agape. Twice Peter responds with Philio se, "friendly love" (v. 15-16). Then Jesus asks him for the third time using the level of love Peter refers to, "Do you love me (Phileis me) Peter? Jesus meets Peter where he is.

Love takes the first step, and it is proven by action. "You love me, serve my sheep" (v. 17). Jesus is looking for His disciples. He joins them at their deepest time of darkness and distress. He aims to renew their faith, their internal peace, and their mission. This is how Jesus rehabilitates His disciples, past and present, who trust in Him.

Today the Gospel invites us to renew our faith in the Risen Christ and to consider how we can live our love for Him through serving both His sacred church body and other human beings.

Jesus is asking us the question that He addresses to Simon Peter, "Do you love me more than those?" If we respond by, "Yes Lord," then let us be committed to what He says to us, "Take care of my lambs, sheep and rams!"

In times of darkness, doubt or despair, let us be sure that Jesus precedes us to help and heal, provided that we trust Him and act according to His word.