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Third Sunday of Easter

Gospel according to John 21:1-14

At that time, Jesus revealed himself 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.
Peter Paul Rubens - The Miraculous Draught of Fishes (1618-19)

Reflections

Today’s Gospel reading mirrors the same event we find recorded in Luke Chapter 5, verses 4-11. When Jesus called the apostles, he saw two fishing boats close to the shore. The fishermen have gone to the shore to wash and tidy their nets. Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon Peter, and asked him to row it further away from the shore so he could teach the people from there. When he had finished teaching the people, he asked Peter and his companions to let their nets out for a catch. The disciples were at first incredulous because they worked all night and had caught nothing, but since He insisted, they threw out their nets for a catch. They caught so many fish that the boat began to sink. Peter fell to Jesus’ feet, and He said to him, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people’” (Luke 5:10). This is how they “Left everything and decided to follow Jesus” (Luke 5:11).

The second account takes place after Jesus’ resurrection, when the disciples are as if back to where they started: Peter, Thomas, Nathaneal, James and John, and two other disciples—seven disciples in total--were out fishing in the Sea of Galilee, close to their home. Now that Jesus died and rose from the dead, they were not sure about the concrete form of their mission. They were at the same time still shocked by what had happened and not yet ready to comprehend its significance. Jesus stood at the shore. He asked if they had caught any fish. Upon hearing their reply, “no,” he said to them to cast their net to the right side of the boat where they will find some (Luke John 21:6). The disciples immediately obeyed and caught so many fish that they could barely haul the catch into the boat. This time, they recognized that the person at the shore is Jesus and Peter jumped into the water to swim ashore, ahead of the others. In a beautifully intimate setting, Jesus already had a charcoal fire burning and fresh bread and fish ready for the disciples when they arrived. “’Come and have breakfast,’” he said to them (John 20:12).

The symbolism is striking: They counted hundred and fifty-three fish, which according to Saint Jerome, was the number of fish species known to ancient Greek zoologists. (1) According to Saint Augustine, 153 is the sum of the first 17 integers, with 17 representing the combination of divine grace, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the Ten Commandments. (1,2) It stands for completeness, the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation, and the abundance of God’s provision. (2) It represents the universal call to minister to people from all backgrounds. (3,4)

The seven disciples in the same boat, representing the entire church, the “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church,” receive a universal call to proclaim the Good News to all people in all the world. (5) Together, the people of God, receive their mission for the sake of the world; “…to be the sign of God’s love and the means of salvation for all peoples.” (6) The symbol of the fish envisions that all people are welcome in the church. In the church there is a place for everyone. The Church needs everyone, and everyone should have a place in it: “Todos, Todos, Todos” (everyone, everyone, everyone) –as Pope Francis said during his visit to Portugal for World Youth Day. (7) The church should be a place where everyone is needed and everyone is valuable, regardless of their background or circumstances: “We are not here by mistake” and “We are all called by our names.” (8,9) “Where it is not so, then we should keep working that it may be so,” added Pope Francis. (9)

The net represents the structure which allows to carry out the mandate: “…to teach, to sanctify and to govern.” (10) It does not get damaged or thorn despite the heavy load of the fish. This image refers to the heavy responsibility of the governance of the Church’s institutions. Despite the demands placed on it, the church’s structure should be able to withstand the push and pull of various forces inside and outside and the wear and tear. Just like the number of fish caught, it is sustained by divine grace. (11, 12)

Jesus already has some fish roasting when the disciples arrive. He feeds them a wholesome breakfast which the apostles wholeheartedly welcome. There is no need to ask: “‘Who are you?’” (John 21:12) The answer is clear: This is Jesus. His actions are congruent with His promises. He cares for the disciples’ every need. He gives them fresh bread and roasted fish to eat, just like He gives Himself in the Eucharist. He anticipates the need, and He offers encouragement. So, there is no need to ask: “’Who are you?’” because in the Eucharist, we encounter Him again at the side of the lake, wherever we are right now in our lives—Jesus is waiting for us.

Two times the disciples encountered the miraculous catching of the fish, at the beginning, when Jesus invited them to follow Him, and again, at the new beginning, after His resurrection, where He sent them into the world to proclaim the Good News. The boat is the symbol of the church, the nave, and we are the members. The Good News of today is that we are all wanted by God, embraced, and sent on a mission: “Todos, todos, todos,” Such is a church which carries out its mission in the spirit of “solidarity, love and togetherness.” (13)

Sources

  1. Diocese of Westminster (2025). The mystery pf the 153 fish in the Gospel of John. Retrieved from: https://parish.rcdow.org.uk. Accessed: April 29, 2025.
  2. Pakaluk, M. (2020). Faith Counts. Retrieved from: thecatholicthing.org Accessed: April 29, 2025.
  3. Catechism of the Catholic Church (1997). The Life of Man—To Know and Love God. Retrieved from: Catholic Culture.org. Accessed: April 29, 20025.
  4. The Catholic Leader (2021). Sharing the Good News. Retrieved from: www.the catholicleader.com.au. Accessed: April 29, 2025
  5. The Holy See (2025). CCC, Paragraph 3: The Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. Articles 811-870. Retrieved from: www.vatican.va. Accessed: April 29, 2025.
  6. Catholic Catechism (2025). Articles 748-810. The Church. Retrieved from: http://mbfallon.com. Accessed: April 29, 2025.
  7. Wagner, I. (2023). Pontifical Mission Societies USA. WYD: Todos, Todos, Todos. Retrieved from: www.pontificialmissions.org. Accessed: April 29, 2025.
  8. Difato, J. (2023). Todos! Todos! Todos! The Rewards of a Welcoming Heart. The Word Among Us. Retrieved from: www.wau.org. Accessed: April 29, 2025.
  9. USCCB (2023). Pope to young people at WYD: God calls your authentic, not virtual, self. Retrieved from: www.usccb.org. Accessed: April 29, 2025.
  10. Pope John Paul II (1992). Bishops teach, sanctify, govern. Catechesis by Pope John Paul II on the Church. Retrieved from: totus2us.co.uk. Accessed on; April 29, 2025.
  11. The Papal Encyclicals Online (2000-2025). Decrees of the First Vatican Council. Council Fathers-1868 A. D. on Papal Infallibility. Retrieved from: papalencyclicals.net. Accessed: April 29, 2025.
  12. McLellan, J. (2025). Cardinal Parolin: The church must carry on Pope Francis’ legacy of mercy. America. The Jesuit Review. Retrieved from: www.americamagazine.com. Accessed: April 29, 2025.
  13. Pope Fracis (2020). Fratelli Tutti. Retrieved from: www.vatican.va. Accessed: April 29, 2025.