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Gospel: 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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A few weeks ago, I received a letter in the mail from my seven-year-old niece, Amelia. The cover was filled with colorful pictures – her, me, their dog, Max, a tree from their front yard. Inside the letter, there was a very important message.
Dear Uncle Kevin,
I miss you.
Love, Amelia
P.S. I really, really miss you.
Shortly thereafter, I booked a roundtrip flight to Atlanta. Had I ignored that letter, something tells me I’d no longer be on her “good list.”
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A similar dynamic is unfolding in today’s Gospel.
Technically, John concluded his Gospel in the previous chapter. Jesus had been raised from the dead; he appeared to his disciples in Jerusalem; he walked through walls; he broke bread with them; and, finally, he imparted his peace and sent them out.
Period. End of story.
But much like my niece who needed “P.S.” to end her letter, John adds a second ending to his Gospel in order to reiterate a few important themes.
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First, the role of Peter.
Although the “beloved” disciple recognizes Jesus is the one standing along the shoreline, it’s Peter who lunges into the sea and swims to greet Jesus first. It’s Peter who hauls the catch of fish ashore. And it’s Peter whom Jesus speaks with directly, asking him, “Do you love me?”
Then the Lord issues his great command to Peter, “Feed my sheep.”
Second, John uses the image of the net stuffed with fish to symbolize the mission of the Church. We are to fill her to the brim with souls thirsting for Christ without tearing; unity is key.
Notice, the net is filled with “one hundred fifty-three” fish, representing our need to embrace all of humanity; no one is to be excluded.
Finally, John demonstrates the Risen Lord’s knowledge and mobility. Jesus not only remembers his disciples; he can also appear to them anywhere he chooses – in Jerusalem, in Galilee, and in the quiet stillness of our own hearts.
Come, Lord Jesus!
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Image credits: (1) Caitlin Trussell (2) thelifeididn’tchoose (3) Redbubble