Third Sunday of Easter (C)

“Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.”
Jn 21:1-19

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish.

Some commentators say that the catch was not a miracle. In W. M. Thomson’s book, “The Land and the Book” he says that he saw two men fishing. One was in the water throwing the net and the other was on the bank giving directions on where to throw the net. The water was clear and he could see where the shoal of fish was. Jesus did the same thing for Peter. Jesus guided him.
Let us pray that our people will be ready to listen to God’s voice as we elect our government officials.

So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”

There is a cartoon showing learned men looking for Jesus. But they could not find him. But there were two children who found him. But Jesus was motioning to them to keep quiet as if only they are supposed to find him.

The disciple whom Jesus loved was St. John and he was the youngest apostle. And perhaps, because he still had the heart of a child that it was he who recognized the Lord.

What does it mean to have the heart of a child in order to see God? Scientists have been able to detect a certain kind of radiation in outer space that supports the Big Bang theory. One of them said: “We just saw the hand of God creating the uni-verse.” To have the heart of a child means to be able to accept that there is somebody greater than you—God.

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea.

Why couldn’t Peter wait for the boat to reach the shore? Because he was deeply attached to Jesus.

Our eagerness to pray, to participate in the Sunday Liturgy is an indicator of how attached we are to the Lord.

Why did he have to put on all his clothes? Because according to Jewish practice, to greet someone was a religious act and hence, must be properly dressed. It was also an act of respect for Jesus.

There used to be the Sunday best. We don’t need to dress like that. Neverthe-less, the way we dress reflects on our attitude towards the Mass.

When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.

This story tells us what the Resurrection is and what it is not. First, it is not a vision. A vision is “seen” but not with physical eyes. When Our Lady appeared to Bernadette, only she saw the Blessed Mother. The Resurrection is a physical experience. In fact, Jesus prepared breakfast which they ate.

Jesus said that the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve. At the Last Supper, he washed their feet. After the Resurrection, he prepared breakfast for them. What is he doing for us now? He is preparing a place for us in heaven. In other words, Jesus is continuing his work to save us even today.

So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.

St. Cyril of Alexandria interpreted the number this way: 100 represents all non-Jews (Gentiles); 50 for the remnant of Israel and 3 for the Trinity.

St. Augustine offers this interpretation. 10 for the Ten Commandments; 7 for the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit; 7+10=17. 153 is the sum from 1 to 17.

St. Jerome. There are 153 kinds of fish. On the last day, all men will be gathered to the Lord.

God wants all men to be saved and to the knowledge of truth. But let us remember that we have the power to say no to God. God who created us without our con-sent can not save us without our consent. And sin is saying no to God.