After this, 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 here 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 his 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.
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.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then asked him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a 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. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
John 21:1-19 (NABRE)
The Easter liturgical season brings out some of my favorite Gospel passages.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus calls Peter, James, and John to follow him after they pull in a miraculous catch of fish. Upon seeing the enormous amount, Peter tells Jesus, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). To this, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” A similar interaction takes place here, only now, Jesus has risen from the dead and Peter is still distraught over denying that he knew his beloved Lord. Here we see, once again, the immeasurable Divine Mercy of Jesus. As Jesus said to St. Faustina, mercy is His greatest attribute. Time and again we see Him exercise his mercy in Holy Scripture, and we experience it in our own lives. Jesus does not spare an opportunity to show that He wants to forgive sin and lead us away from its misery.
Not only does Jesus forgive Peter, He also reaffirms the commission he gave to him earlier as the rock upon which the Church will be built (Matthew 16:18). Jesus entrusts his flock to the care of someone of the likes of Peter, who throughout the Gospels is depicted as passionate and genuine yet impulsive and somewhat obtuse.
It is astonishing to think that the Eleven, who went out and fearlessly preached the Gospel throughout the Roman world and beyond and baptized, confirmed, and nourished with the Lord’s Body and Blood so many thousands of people, started out as a ragtag group composed mostly of uneducated fishermen. Matthew (Levi), who worked at a tax office as a collector, was probably the only one of them who could read. You would think that Jesus would select some prominent members of the Sanhedrin to carry out the sacred mission of preaching and evangelizing to the ends of the earth. In our minds, only the best of the best get hired. However, we often forget that God is also a part of the equation. His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). If He calls you to do something, He also will supply you with the divine grace you need to do it. He has a great track record — just read the Acts of the Apostles and see what Peter was able to do with God’s help! Be not afraid of your own sinfulness and weaknesses when God calls you. You have His support. It only takes your willful cooperation.
For Peter, following Jesus meant martyrdom. Jesus hints to his face at what death he would die (crucifixion; i.e. “you will stretch out your hands”). Be prepared for whatever may come as a result of saying “yes” to Jesus. The future is uncertain, but Jesus’ love is certain. He cares deeply, so much so that He went out of His way to feed His friends and disciples breakfast even after accomplishing His salvific work on the Cross and resurrecting from the dead.
Thank you for reading. Peace.
Eat the Scroll 