Third Sunday of Easter (C)

May 5, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Acts 5: 27-32, 40b-41

Psalm: 30 “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.”

Second Reading: Revelation 5: 11-14

Gospel reading according to John 21: 1-19

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Homily

At that moment in time, Jesus made appearances to his disciples to give them strength and courage, hope and perseverance in the service of their fellow disciples and followers of him.  “Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.  He revealed himself in this way” (Jn.  21: 1).  He appeared here and there, everywhere where there were his disciples to gather them in their diaspora, like a shepherd to his sheep, or fisherman to his net.

By this time, the apostles have gained their courage to go out in their hiding place where the doors were closed and locked.  Simon Peter and the other disciples were now in the Sea of Tiberias ready to go back to their former ways of life, works and living, especially of fishing. “Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples” (Jn.  21: 2).  Since Simon Peter was their chosen leader, the other disciples, like for example, Thomas, Nathanael, Zebedee’s two sons James and John, and two other unnamed disciples,  they came together to follow where Peter was.

Wherever Peter went they followed suite.  A former way of life came to the mind of Peter.  He decided to catch fish.  Maybe he missed this work of catching fish for a long time since he joined the company of Jesus. “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” (Jn.  21: 3).  So also the other apostles, who were formerly fishermen, they longed also to catch fish but they were not confident if Peter will allow them.  But when Peter said he was going fishing, the rest of the apostles were excited to join him.  Despite that they were experts of the sea, that they knew the depth of the sea and the quantity or the amount of fish there, they were not able to catch even a single fish. They stayed there the whole night until the breaking of the day.  They caught nothing.  So they decided to go back home.  

It was already dawn.  When people were still sleeping, Jesus was already at the seashore waiting for his disciples to meet them.  “When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus” (Jn.  21: 4).  Jesus was standing on the seashore after preparing a morning meal.  He cooked fish in charcoal and brought some loaves of bread for their breakfast.  When Peter and the rest arrived, and since Jesus knew them, he recognized them and called them. “Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you caught anything to eat?’  They answered him, ‘No’.” (Jn.  21: 5).  He asked them if they caught anything, fish and other “lamang dagat,” to eat.  They responded not a thing, not even a single fish.

From the shore, Jesus saw movement in the water which indicated a school of fish.  “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” (Jn.  21: 6).  He instructed them to where they can throw their nets (duc in altum) to catch fish and they obeyed.  When they pulled the net, they used one net symbolizing one Church; they were not able to haul in because of the large amount of fish they caught.  They were astonished and could not believe what they have seen.  

One of the disciples, John, whom Jesus loved, recognized Jesus from a distance.  “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 garments, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea” (Jn.  21: 7).  He was sure that it was Jesus so he called the attention of Peter by saying, “It is the Lord.”  And Peter, the aggressive one (padalus-dalos) easy to act and react, wore his clothes for he was no shirt on and jumped into the water to go, see, and meet Jesus; while the other disciples remained in the boat and paddled (sagwan) to the shore.  “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” (Jn.  21: 8). They rowed the boat while dragging the net with fish to the shore.

When they came out of the boat and waded in the water, they saw the fish baked/steamed in the charcoal fire and bread; they were hungry and thirsty, for the night staying in the sea (laot) whom Jesus prepared for them.  When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread” (Jn.  21: 9).  These symbolize the Eucharistic Mass, where bread (and fish) is shared as a ceremonial meal.

The baked fish is not enough for them all, so Jesus asked to bring some more fish they caught to be cooked/steam and eat. “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 and fifty-three large fish.  Even though there were so many, the net was not torn” (Jn.  21: 10-11).  As usual, Peter’s aggressive attitude worked fast (gumana), he moved fast, dragged the net with fish to the shore and gave some to Jesus.  Inspite of the amount of fish (153) caught; the net was not torn apart.  According to some exegetes this number designates the number of countries in the whole world, the number of countries they will visit, preach, teach and bring the good news of Jesus Christ.  

A true leader sees the conditions of his members, he knows what they need.  Jesus saw that his disciples were hungry and thirsty.  So he invited them to eat breakfast. “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” (Jn.  21: 12). While the disciples saw clearly the person face to face who told them to cast their net over the right side of the boat and you will find something, who asked them to bring some of the fish they caught, and who invited them to eat.  Nobody asked the man “who are you?” for they know now who is in front and midst of them – it is Jesus.  

Since they were found struck and did not move right away, it was Jesus who served them.   “Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish” (Jn.  21: 13). As usual, his initial gesture and mark so vivid in their memories during the Last Supper and of many other meals they shared especially in the miracles of the multiplication of the bread and fish, the more they recognized and believed to the resurrected Christ by the breaking of the bread and fish.  “This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead” (Jn.  21: 14). 

After eating their breakfast, Jesus called the attention of Peter.  Jesus wanted to know if he is still loved by him and willing to sacrifice his self for the sake of all people to be entrusted in him. “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.’  He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs’.” (Jn.  21: 15).  Maybe Jesus was pointing to the fish they caught when he asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these?”  It has some responsibility associated to this love that is by feeding his lambs – of teaching and guiding his peoples, within and without his fold (the young Church).  Peter answered Jesus affirmatively for it is easy to do like catching fish.

Then, at the second time, Jesus asked the same question.  “He then said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’  He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, you now that I love you.’  He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep’.” (Jn.  21: 16).  Maybe Jesus was pointing to the other disciples present when he asked Peter, “Do you love me?  It was easy for Peter to say yes for truly he loved Jesus as his Lord and God and Master.  He asked Peter to take care his chosen ones, his disciples and followers, the clergy, religious and laity (sheep).

For the third time, Jesus asked the same question to Peter.  This manner of asking question for three times may have some relation to the three times he denied his beloved Teacher and Master.  “He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’  Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything, you now that I love you.’  Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep’.” (Jn.  21: 17).  Peter felt the guilt and loneliness and sorrow of his heart for what he has done to his Lord and God.  He felt distressed for three times he was asked by Jesus regarding “love,” fidelity and faithfulness and loyalty.  When Peter recovered, he stood erect and said with confidence, “Lord, you know everything, you now that I love you.”  And Jesus commanded him to feed his people (sheep) with a Eucharistic meal.

Jesus revealed to Peter what will happen to him while he is feeding the lamb (the young Church) and tending and feeding the sheep (the disciples and followers/we). “’Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow older, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress 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 said this, he said to him, ‘Follow me’.” (Jn.  21: 18-19). Peter was still in his prime age, he can do what he wanted to do, go where he wanted to go – in his belligerent (padalus-dalos) manner.  But it will come a time when he is grown old someone will undress and dress him, and bring him in different places he was not familiar to preach (feeding and tending) the good news of his beloved Teacher and Master – Jesus Christ.  In the end, he will be crucified like his beloved Lord and Master but upside down, in giving glory to God, the almighty Father.  In the end of their discourse, Jesus invited Peter to follow him wherever he goes, imitate him like a good shepherd, and do like what Jesus did.