May 4, 2025: Third Sunday of Easter

Gospel: John 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 disciples 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 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.”

Reflection

Anytime we’re opening presents, one of my cousins always says, “A present is a funny thing. It always keeps you wondering.” I can say much the same about the Gospel passage for this Sunday. A Gospel passage is a funny thing. It always keeps me wondering.

For the third time after his resurrection, Jesus reveals himself to some of his disciples – Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, John, James, and two unnamed others. As always, anything involving Jesus leaves me wondering.

This passage prompts very random wonderings, questions of simple curiosity. How big would a boat have to be to accommodate seven men and fishing gear? Why were two of the disciples unnamed? How did Jesus know to cast the net over the right side of the boat? How many city blocks is 100 yards? Who counted the fish? These questions are in the category of “interesting but who cares?” They don’t really keep me wondering.

Some moments in this meeting of Jesus and his disciples touch my heart and prompt more meaningful wonderings. Did these responses from his disciples touch the heart of the Jesus? John, the beloved disciple, recognizing Jesus from 100 yards away. Impetuous Peter jumping into the sea to get to Jesus as quickly as possible? I wonder if these moments touched the hearts of Jesus’ friends: Jesus pointing the way to an incredible catch of fish. Jesus preparing breakfast for his friends and his serving them as well. These questions also keep me wondering. What is the gift, what are the gifts Jesus and his disciples give to one another? Does this time with Jesus help the disciples move further into the mystery of Jesus’ resurrection?

However, this package of today’s Gospel has two events that truly make me wonder and puzzle over. I have no answers to the questions running around in my head.

When the disciples join Jesus to share the prepared breakfast, “none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they realized it was the Lord.” They dared not ask because they knew the answer? This indeed keeps me wondering? What kept them quiet? Embarrassment? Confusion? I have some ideas, intuitions; but it does keep me wondering.

Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Three times Peter answers, “Yes. You know I love you.” Three times Jesus tells Peter what loving him requires: tend and feed my sheep. Then Jesus ends the conversation by telling Peter “by what kind of death he would glorify God.”

What? Too much of a leap for me! I’d prefer a happier ending like “Peter, I know you love me. I love you too.” Why didn’t you leap to affirmation, Jesus? I’d take one affirmation over 153 fish any day.

A Gospel is a funny thing. It always keeps me wondering.

Action

I’m wondering if I’m the only one who wonders about Gospel accounts. Let me know, if you’d like.