The Appearance to the Seven Disciples

Today's Reflections

The Appearance to the Seven Disciples 

http://graceandspace.org

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. ⁸The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 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:

Cast the net over the right side. Peter and his companions are expert fishermen and work hard all night long but catch nothing. But when they follow the instruction of Christ who directs them from the shore, they catch a great number of fish.

While we have our abilities and talents and should use them, our apostolic efforts will be fruitless unless we work under the Lord’s direction. Whenever we undertake a project, therefore, let us first ask Jesus, “Lord, what do you want me/us to do?” or “Lord, what do you want me/us to say?”

When they make a big catch, the disciple whom Jesus loves recognizes that it is the Lord. Let us recognize that it is the Lord who makes our efforts spiritually productive.

There is no room for boasting in apostolic success,

only for thanking and glorifying the Lord.