5 April, 2024 | Friday in the Octave of Easter

 Reading : Acts 4:1-12

Gospel Jn 21:1-14

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.

Reflections:

To the disheartened disciples who had worked all night to catch fish, Jesus gives them instructions on where to cast their net. No doubt they were expert fishermen, but they were utterly unsuccessful, catching nothing. Remarkably, despite their competence and ability, they were humble enough to take the advice of a stranger who said, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some". To the surprise of all six apostles, they made a mighty catch and recognised that "it is the Lord". In the tiring days of our lives, when things are not going well as they should, let us open our inner eyes to discern the presence and direction of the Risen Lord.

Action:

I will  be humble enough to listen to and if necessary  accept the opinion of others