Gospel Jn 21:1-19
At that time, 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.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus 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.”
Homily
I have often heard persons say; “God asks me to forgive, God does not ask me to trust those who have done me great wrong in the past. That is an attitude that affects all of us as we struggle with the task of forgiveness and reconciliation yet God has forgiven us so many times and continues to trust us with his message. This comes out most forcefully this week in verses 15 to 19 of the Gospel passage given to us for our meditation this week. These verses deal with Peter’s threefold profession of love for Christ.
Peter we will remember denied Jesus three times out of fear. He was afraid of being crucified with Jesus. Jesus appears to the disciples after his resurrection, and I would imagine that Peter was slightly embarrassed by what he had done. In such circumstances he was probably a bit too embarrassed to approach Jesus, so Jesus helps him. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. Each time Peter answers in the affirmative, Jesus shows him that he has confidence in him and gives him responsibility. He tells him to feed and to look after his sheep.
Often in life people whom we love and who profess to love us betray us very badly. Often they are afraid to approach us. Jesus models for us how to forgive, how to put them at ease, and how to show them that in spite of the past, we have confidence in them.
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This passage reminds us of Jesus being led like an innocent lamb to the slaughter for our salvation. Peter once again reconciled with Jesus and in Jesus’ friendship will have a share in the mission given to Jesus by the Father. In light of this Jesus invites Peter to follow him again as he did at the beginning of the Public ministry. Reconciliation is always an invitation to become one with and to share dreams and ideals and even the labours of bringing the dreams to fruition.
Reconciliation without sharing of dreams is superficial and shows a lack of confidence in the other. Jesus shows Peter that he really has confidence in him. He shares with him his dream and his work. Again the Gospel tells us something about the process and the result of reconciliation. It brings about, a common vision and a common goal.
Finally, Jesus leaves himself open to being betrayed by Peter again. To be reconciled is to accept vulnerability, but without vulnerability one never gains.
That is the witness of Nelson Mandela, embracing those who had imprisoned him and brutalized his people and trying to forge a common vision with them.
It is the vision of Martin Luther King, that “One day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of slaves and the sons of former slave owners will sit and sup together at the table of unity.
It is the Christian vision that you and I, reconciled with God whom we have betrayed in so many ways big and small, will finally have God’s dream and work to bring it to fulfillment.
Prayer
All powerful and ever-loving God, your Son Jesus Christ never tires of trusting us and in spite of our many infidelities, he continues to entrust his church and his mission to us. Help us to be worthy of that trust and to live the reconciliation which is at the heart of the message. Help us not to be afraid of the vulnerability which reconciliation demands and help us to live love after the example of Jesus Christ who prayed for his persecutors while on the cross. We ask this through the intercession of Mary our Mother and Jesus your Son. Amen
