Manila Bulletin

At the sea of Tiberias

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In John, the last appearance of the risen Christ to the disciples happens in Galilee, where they were first called. After their failure in disciplesh­ip during Jesus’ passion, they return home to Galilee, probably to mend a little their broken hearts. But their return does not mark the end of their career.

Rather, Jesus renews this call with dramatic color. They labor the whole night but catch nothing. Only when they obey the command, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat” (v 6), are they able to haul the net full of fish.

The great catch of fish means only one thing for the disciples: Jesus is once again with them and makes their labor fruitful. But in the post-resurrecti­on period, it is no longer catching fish, but catching people to bring them to the faith. It is time to be fishers of men.

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 153 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.

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