The appearances of the resurrected Jesus highlight certain fundamentals in the life of the Christian community in the context of His Easter triumph. For the Third Sunday of Easter, John (21:1-19) wanted to complement the gospel’s prologue with yet a third determining appearance of the glorious Christ.
Apostolic and catholic
This resurrection appearance of Jesus underlines the catholicity of the apostolic mission illustrated by the story of the extraordinary catch of fish. This episode is included by other evangelists in the public ministry of Jesus (Luke 5:1-11; Matthew 14:28-31), but the Johannine author typically wanted to associate this event, and the concomitant renewed call to Peter, with the post-resurrection development. Thus, mission and leadership service in the Church are to be seen as participation in and extension of the glory and the power of the risen Lord.
The fishermen-disciples seemed incapable of catching anything on their own, fishing all night and catching nothing. But with the dawn came Jesus, the light ending the darkness, the daybreak introducing a new day and new hope. Things changed dramatically when their fishing came under the direction of the risen Jesus, with His authorization and in His power. Their sudden and enormous catch of 153 large fish did not tear up their net, but neither could they pull it in. As to the symbolism of the number of fish caught, Saint Jerome’s interpretation seems close to the intent of the gospel writer that the number totaling all the known species of fish then indicates that the apostolic mission of the followers of the risen Christ is universal or catholic, all-inclusive and irrespective of race, culture and religion. There is a place for everyone in the saving net of the Church as the community of salvation, and without tearing apart, it can haul ashore the multitude of believers and accommodate all plurality and diversity.
Reconciling and serving
AS catholic, the Christian community of faith reconciles, not excludes, sinners. Reconciliation is delicately signified by the meal Jesus prepared for His disciples, a meal of bread and fish, like when he fed the multitude on the edge of the sea of Tiberias (John 6:11). Happy truly are those called to His table. The very invitation is a sign of reconciliation whatever the past might have been. The example of forgiveness and healing at the top is exemplified by Simon Peter himself. Three times he had denied knowing Jesus at all (John 18:17.25.27). The risen Lord now asked him three times, “Do you love me?” And three times Peter affirmed his love for Jesus. As the chosen servant-leader of the faithful, Peter himself healed and reconciled can now nourish and lead the community of reconciliation for the world.
Life with the risen Jesus means reconciliation and service, ministry amidst the imperative of constant healing. With his imperfections, Peter knew also how to weep for his sins. And he was willing, humbled as he was, to do what was asked of him in the service of the Lord’s flock. The risen Jesus wanted Peter associated with Him in His role as shepherd (John 10:1-18). Notwithstanding the past, Jesus reissued Peter the call to follow Him. “Follow me!” What a healing, rehabilitating word for Peter to hear. But he should know now what that actually meant. To follow Jesus is to imitate someone who carried the cross to Calvary and offered Himself for the life of others. It means someday to stretch out your hands in compliance and to be led where you do not want to go. To follow Jesus is to live everyday literally in the shadow of the cross. But this was Jesus’ love and trust in him the second time around, and Peter would love too and measure up to Jesus more faithfully the second time around.
Alálaong bagá, a disciple’s commitment and fidelity to Jesus can really be absolute and unstinting in the light and in the power of Easter. Martyrdom is sweet for those who have identified themselves with the one who was crucified and rose again. His victory is theirs. To follow Jesus as fishers of salvation and shepherds of peace and unity may most likely cost them martyrdom, but the palm of glory and eternity is assured them by the risen Lord.
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