The Appearance to the Seven Disciples

Today's Reflections

The Appearance to the Seven Disciples

Jn 21:1-14

¹Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. ²Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. ³Simon 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. ⁴When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. ⁵Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” ⁶So 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.

⁷So 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. ... ⁹When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. ¹⁰Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” ¹¹So 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. ¹²Jesus 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. ¹³Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. ¹⁴This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

 

Reflection:
 

That night they caught nothing. The disciples return to their former work—fishing. Most of them are fishermen by profession. They work all night at what they do best, but they catch nothing. Then Jesus, a carpenter, directs them, from the shore, to cast their net over the right side of the boat. Though they do not recognize their risen Lord, the disciples obey, and the result is a great catch.

Jesus calls the disciples again to be fishers of men. Without him they will catch nothing. But with Jesus, their work will be fruitful and their mission successful.

We are all workers for Jesus, full-time laborers in the mission. Working with him and for him will surely bring success.

“It is the Lord!” Do you recognizeGod’s guiding hand in what you do?