The Gospel of John 21:1-19
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 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. 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.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 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. 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. 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.
When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 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. 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. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was 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.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 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.” 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. 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.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, just as You restored Peter, I ask for Your grace to heal my heart from my grief. Help me to walk in Your love and serve You faithfully. Amen.”
Has there been a time in your life when things have been such, that you put up the sign: “Gone Fishing” Seem that is how Simon Peter felt when he said: I am going fishing”. I have had a week like that, On Easter Monday I lost my oldest son. I wanted to do something like go fishing but I no longer have the stamina to go alone, so my choice was to go to church and sit quietly and ask myself lots of questions. Our church is a sanctuary that has the spirits of many of our parishioners who have paved the way for us, As I sit, I can easily share with a few special ones who have always been there when needed. They are like Jesus who was there for His disciples with breakfast when they needed Him. He was there also as I needed Him, needed Him to share in my grief, needed him to just be there and hold me as my tears were there. It is easier to share one’s grief with Jesus sometimes than with others. It gives you the chance to let it out without judgement.
Has this ever happened to you? You run into someone you have not seen for some time, and you do not recognize them at first. It is a strange phenomenon, especially when you have known them for a period of time. It is like we are surprised or caught off guard by one another’s actual presence after so much has happened. It was so with the disciples. When they had finished breakfast and the realization that this was really Jesus with them. He asked Simon Peter three times “Do you love me?” what was the significance of this? Peter was having a hard time with it and he was becoming annoyed, but Even though Jesus continued to ask him “do you love me?” We ask ourselves the reason for this. First it was redemption for Peter who had denied Jesus three times before His crucifixion. By asking Peter three times if he loved Him, Jesus was giving Peter the opportunity to reaffirm his love and commitment, effectively undoing his previous denial. And each time Peter responds Jesus instructs him to “feed my lambs” or “take care of my sheep.” This shows that love for Christ is demonstrated through action and caring for His people and spreading His teachings. Finally, the last time Jesus was preparing Peter for his role as a leader in the early Church. By emphasizing the responsibility of shepherding His followers, Jesus was entrusting Peter with a mission to guide and nurture believers.
This exchange is a powerful reminder that grief does not define us. God’s grace allows for a renewed purpose with our grief as we either go fishing or sit in church when we hold onto Jesus and we can answer, Yes, I love you.
Let us Pray: Lord, at the start of this new week help us to be an example to others. Show us, as you did with your fishermen friends, the practical steps we need to take so that we can change the ways in which we do things and so develop consistency and integrity in all that we do in our lives. This we pray in the Name of Jesus the Fisherman. Amen
Reflections by Bob 