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 gt 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.”
This week, Fr. Kamal writes from the site in Galilee that this scripture relates to—
“Mensa Christi, Table of Christ”
This morning, we see some sailboats on the lake. A few are fishing in a small port. Fishermen are collecting their nets and screening fresh fish, singing their joy and thanksgiving.ounding area are very inspiring for a meditation on this special event where the Risen Christ appears to His disciples.
This morning, we see some sailboats on the lake. A few are fishing in a small port. Fishermen are collecting their nets and screening fresh fish, singing their joy and thanksgiving.
We are at the port where Jesus met and called the first disciples. There’s a large rock traditionally known as the one where He asked his disciples for something to “feed others with.” We can still see the hewn steps leading up and down to the small port.
There is a small chapel built over a large rock that has the shape of a good dining table.
A spring of fresh water feeds the surrounding green area.
Read the text and try to concentrate on the following:
A gentleman standing on the shore asks for fish, but the fishermen failed to catch any that night. He calls them “children,” (yaldeh in Syriac Aramaic), a special term in Jesus’ language that describes fickle people who easily change their convictions and beliefs for self-interest.
The disciples acknowledge their failure that night. Jesus gives them direction to restart their fishing. In between, the Risen Christ becomes a good cook preparing breakfast for His dear disciples using the same rock they used to gather around during His ministry in Galilee. He invites them to “Come and have breakfast.” John 21:12
They start to know that He is the Risen One who preceded them into Galilee, and no one dared ask Him, “Who are You?” They were sure, “It is the Lord!" John 21:7
Through His Love, His Kindness and His Friendship, He reminds them who He is.
They lost faith, trust and confidence. They are back to their previous profession with a bitter feeling of disappointment, BUT, the Risen Christ precedes them even to that point. He reconfirms their Faith, resending them to proclaim the Good News.
How many times do we need to reflect on this encounter, feeling Him precede us, especially when we experience lack of faith, trust, self confidence or professional failures?
He is Risen indeed! Blessed are those who believe it and live in His presence, spreading His Love and Peace that the world cannot give!