Third Sunday of Easter, May 1, 2022

Feeding, forgiving, and helping others move on with their lives; that is the job of a follower of Christ

John 21:1–19

After this, 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.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and 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.”

Music Meditations

If You Love me, Feed my Sheep--Pamela Stewart and John Purifoy

Feed My Sheep--Don Francisco--folk song style

Do you Really Love Me?-Cary Landry

The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor

Opening Prayer

Teach me to go to this country beyond words and beyond names.
Teach me to pray on this side of the frontier, here where these woods are.
I need to be led by you.
I need my heart to be moved by you.
I need my soul to be made clean by your prayer. I need my will to be made strong by you.
I need the world to be saved and changed by you.
I need you for all those who suffer, who are in prison, in danger, in sorrow.
I need you for all the crazy people.
I need your healing hand to work always in my life.
I need you to make me, as you made your Son, a healer, a comforter, a savior.
I need you to name the dead.
I need you to help the dying cross their particular rivers.
I need you for myself whether I live or die.
It is necessary.
Amen.

From Thomas Merton, A Book of Hours (p. 67). Ave Maria Press – A.

Companions for the Journey

Peter is pretty bold in today’s account, considering his previous thrice denial of Jesus. Today’s story has poetic links to the night Peter betrayed Jesus. For example, both stories had Peter at a charcoal fire. John seems to be subtly inviting us to make the link between the two incidents: the time Peter stood by a charcoal fire during Jesus’ interrogation and today’s resurrection appearance where Jesus has prepared the fish and bread on a charcoal fire for his followers. Peter’s denial was in triplicate. In today’s setting he is given a chance to state his love for Jesus, again in triplicate. “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?...Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”

We heard the Passion accounts and were stunned by Peter’s denial of Jesus. He was the first among the followers, one who, at the Last Supper, had adamantly proclaimed he would follow Jesus even to death. A strong protest of loyalty, followed soon by a humbling fall. But let’s not be too quick to blame Peter. Let’s not stand in judgment, we who in our lifetimes have our own record of small and even large betrayals of the faith we profess in public. Peter loved Jesus and was well-intentioned; he spoke from his gut. He really wanted to stay by Jesus, even die for him. However, he was speaking on his own, relying on his own strengths and determination. As well-intentioned as he was, this was simply not enough. It takes more than our own best intentions and good will to lay down our lives for Christ. We need the gift of the Spirit, which Jesus would give Peter and the others after his resurrection.

Remember those “good news-bad news” jokes? There was one about Jesus: “The good news is that Jesus is coming back...the bad news is that he is as mad as hell.” Based on our human expectations, we might have expected Jesus to be “mad as hell” when he returned resurrected to his frightened disciples. He could have fumed and said, “I told you so! Didn’t I tell you I would rise?” He could have turned to Peter and said, “What a miserable disappointment you turned out to be! You were supposed to be the rock; you turned out to be butter!”

To compound the betrayal, in today’s story Peter says, “I am going fishing.” Was he turning away from Jesus completely? Was he giving up on his call and returning to his old way of life? Was he taking a different leadership role, one that would lead the others back to a past moment before they met Jesus and followed him? Peter's going fishing suggests the disciples were unable to sustain their Easter faith beyond the connection with the actual appearances. So, their belief in the resurrection hadn't been translated into life and mission. After all they have experienced in their time with Jesus, and after having encountered the resurrected Christ, they seem to have forgotten his charge to them. They are not going “fishing”---- as in going out to catch others for Christ. They are just returning to their old business, as if nothing has changed their lives! Even Peter's tone suggests a kind of resignation, "I'm going fishing,” as if to say, "What else is there to do?" Things are falling apart and the call they received seems to have dissolved. While the disciples may have abandoned their call, it is encouraging to note that Jesus has not abandoned them. As in the beginning of the Gospel--- when he first calls them and after his resurrection, when he goes to them in the locked room--- he finds them and calls them again. And note where he finds them (and us)-- in the midst of their everyday working lives. They are at their old work and he goes there to meet them.

In the midst of this ambiguity and recent failures, Jesus returns to face his disciples and, surprise of surprises, he is not furious with them. In fact, despite their complete collapse and disappointing behavior at a crucial moment, he is quite forgiving. We hear a hopeful message for ourselves today. Despite any failure on our part, we can always receive forgiveness and return to Jesus’ company of disciples. In addition, he is doing what he has called us to do: forgive those who have offended us.

Today our failures and lapses may not seem as dramatic as Peter’s. Most likely we haven’t publicly denied Jesus three times, as Peter did. It is more likely that we have let things slip or not taken Jesus seriously enough in our lives. Our witness to his resurrection may be anemic. Perhaps we can recall an earlier time in our lives when our faith was filled with vigor and enthusiasm, but is now subdued and domesticated, made quite tame for appearances on the public stage of our lives. Another old saying comes to mind, “If it were a crime to be a Christian, would they have any evidence to convict us?” We bring these “betrayals” to this eucharistic meal today. Once again Jesus has taken the initiative. He has found us back in old patterns of behavior, in failures large and small. But as with Peter, so with us--- we are forgiven and restored to Jesus’ company.

The early community had to make a decision: should they keep the story of Peter’s failures? How encouraging it is to us that they decided to keep this story and others that reveal Peter’s all-too-many human frailities. While it might have been embarrassing to Peter, it is reassuring for us. Despite his betrayal, Peter is forgiven and restored. As Jesus’ disciples we aren’t perfect; but we are forgiven. So, let’s put aside our protesting, “I’m no saint” and let’s set about the work we are called to do. And the next moment in the story lays out that work quite clearly.

When the initial encounter is over between Jesus and his disciples by the seashore, Jesus is fast to get to the concern he has. He wants his ministry to continue through his disciples—to feed the hungry (“feed my lambs”). Now that Peter and the others are reconciled and their past failures put aside, Jesus once again issues his call to follow him. This time what is entailed in the call to discipleship is spelled out---they are to address the needs of the world. However, there is a sobering element added to the call; it will not be easy. We who would strive to live Jesus’ life are reminded we too will die his death. Resurrection does not eliminate suffering or death. The disciples in the first reading rejoice because, “they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.” They had experienced the resurrection, they also experienced the cross.

While Jesus is sending Peter to a place “you do not want to go,” he is not sending him on his own. Peter is restored to the table and to the meal that will nourish him for whatever self-emptying he must do. Jesus prepares a meal for Peter, he feeds him so that he can feed others. Have you noticed that in each of the resurrection accounts we have been hearing that there is always a call, a reminder of vocation? We are gathered at the meal Jesus provides for us today. Each of us has received a call to feed others—we do it through raising children, teaching, listening, comforting, encouraging, guiding, defending, protesting, cheering, etc. (There is, after all, “evidence” that could be used against us if it were a crime to be a Christian.) This work requires food for the long haul. We are, after all, not part-time Christians or disciples for a week; our vocation is a lifetime calling. Only the life of Jesus we receive in the eucharist can sustain his followers for such a marathon of fidelity and service.

Weekly Memorization

Taken from the gospel for today's session….

Do you love me?

Feed my sheep

Living the Good News

What action can you take in the next week as a response to today's reading and discussion?

Keep a private journal of your prayer/actions responses this week. Feel free to use the personal reflection questions which follow:

Reflection Questions

From Fr. Paul Gallagher OFM, in “First Impressions” Part B:

Why do you think the disciples did not recognize Jesus? Why doesn't Jesus ever say anything to them about the fact that they continually do not recognize him? Do I ever miss the presence of Jesus in the midst of my life?

Have you ever been betrayed by someone you loved? Were you able to place your faith in that person again?

Do you think Jesus really felt the hurt of Peter's betrayal?

What is the connection between Peter's profession of love for Jesus and Jesus' exhortation to feed his sheep? What implication does that have for you?

When the disciples first saw Jesus at the lakeside, they did not know who he was. Then, with the eyes of faith, they “recognized” who he was. Do I carry on with my days as if Jesus had never lived, as if Jesus never rose from the dead?

How can I strive for attentiveness to what is actually going on around me and see Jesus in those moments?

Have there been times in my life when I “fished all night and caught nothing”?

Has help ever come from an unexpected source?

Did I sense Jesus’ presence in any of those situations?

What does it mean for me to "cast my net to the other side" to begin to live fully in Jesus?

What does Jesus’ invitation to “come and have breakfast” tell me about God’s concern about my human needs?

How can I make myself more aware of God’s ongoing presence in my daily life?

In your experience, has getting together and sharing food ever been an occasion for reconciliation?

If not, why not, and what element was needed? (maybe forgiveness, but not assumed, demanded, or publicly bestowed…)

Jesus could have held Peter's utter cowardice against him for the rest of Peter's life, but instead Jesus look forward, not back. What do I have to lift from my own soul in order to go forward?

Have I ever used past grievances to keep some sort of power over someone through their guilt?

This probably wasn't the first campfire fish fry these disciples engaged in with Jesus, but it had a different outcome. Have I ever found myself in the same setting over and over again but without moving on?

What hope does this story give me?

Jesus asks Peter: "Do you love me?" (present time). How do we go from judging/condemning our past and start living in the present?

Has there ever been a time in your life when someone did not give up on you despite past failures?

How did you feel?

Do you love Jesus?

How do you know?

How does Jesus know--or does He need to keep asking?

What else does Jesus ask me to do if I love him? ( Be specific; do not just say: Feed His sheep)

Are there any "sheep" in your life that you think Jesus might want you to feed?

Has my forgiveness of another been as gracious, generous and complete as Jesus' forgiveness of Peter?

Has life always gone as I have planned, or have circumstances taken me "where I did not want to go"? How did I deal with it? Am I prepared to face elements/circumstances over which I have no control? What do I think my reaction should be? What do I think it actually might be?

Meditations

A Meditation in the Franciscan Style/Action:

In thinking about the desperation and discouragement of those first disciples after Jesus death, I am reminded of those in our own time who are desperate and discouraged as they see their homes destroyed, their livelihoods gone and most poignantly, their loved ones lost to the brutalities of a war they never wanted nor started. Several months ago they were at peace and filled with joy at the coming of spring and summer. Now they are enduring a winter of never-ending fear and sorrow, compounded by the lack of food, water, heat, health care and medicine. Can I even imagine what determination it takes to stay the course, to fight for their land, to abandon all they have and seek a new life elsewhere? Can I imagine what it is like to say goodbye to my husband, wondering if I will ever see him again? Can I imagine putting everything I care about into one small hold-all, leaving much of my family history behind?

While we often express horror at what we are seeing happen in Ukraine, and while we express concern for those who have lost everything, most of us stop at the “thoughts and prayers” stage of compassion and limit our generosity to hoping things get better for them. But we, like Jesus, have to expend some energy and make some sacrifices of our own to share even a little of our everyday abundance with those so desperate. There are plenty of opportunities at our fingertips: “Save the Children Fund”, Catholic Relief Services, Doctors without Borders, the American Red Cross, and many others….but we each actually have to do more than make a list of agencies. We have to give. Maybe some wish to lobby their congressperson or senator to prod the USA to do more; maybe some can even take in a refugee family, as at least one household in Menlo Park has done. Jesus showed us that love is not a feeling, it is an action.

What action can I take?

A Meditation in the Ignatian Style/Imagination:

Read the gospel again. Imagine that you are one of the disciples doing a little night fishing. Try to picture the boat and those in it. Close your eyes and try to recreate the entire night of tedium and lack of success. Imagine how you feel when someone calls to you from the shore and gives you some directions that make you suddenly successful. What would you do then? Who recognizes the Lord? Is it you? Or are you Peter, the enthusiastic one who jumps in the water? If you are just yourself, what is your reaction? What does this passage say to you about relying on God instead of trusting that you can do everything by yourself? How is this thought counter to everything we are taught about the virtues of self-reliance?

Now imagine that you are Peter facing Jesus for the first time since you betrayed him. How uncomfortable is this for you? Why do you think Jesus cooks a meal for all of you? Why do you think he keeps asking you if you love him? Are you annoyed? Hurt? Ashamed? Think of a time in your life when you have disappointed God, then open yourself up to the love and forgiveness that is extended to you.

A Meditation in the Augustinian Style/Relationship:

Read Isaiah 54:4-8:

“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;
Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame;
For you will forget the shame of your youth,
And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.
5 For your Maker is your husband,
The Lord of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He is called the God of the whole earth.
6 For the Lord has called you
Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
Like a youthful wife when you were refused,”
Says your God.
7 “For a mere moment I have forsaken you,
But with great mercies I will gather you.
8 With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;
But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,”
Says the Lord, your Redeemer.

Now, relate these four verses to your own life, hear God say these words to you and to you alone. Then speak your response to God's great compassion and mercy in the depths of your heat. If it works for you, write your response

Literary Reflection:

This poem seems to capture Peter’s growth into the man God wanted him to e:

In The Book

In the book

is told

the story of Peter---

he who denied

Jesus—

Peter whose extravagant love

bloomed like Sunday breakfast.

Also is told how he cried,

a glory credited to him

as to none other.

Peter cried to know his denial; how

perplexed he was by love, how undone

like a shoelace.

torn by love of him

called Jesus

who loved incomprehensibly,

till it seemed

even the rocks around him sang blessings.

But Jesus told Peter

what his heart had long known:

you are weak and shall be harvested

like a field of wheat

ripe in October.

Around you the weeds and flowers cluster

eager to gather in your strength.

Said Jesus further:

Peter, be cut, sifted

measured out.

Let love be your source and their ground,

In you let them find root.

Rev. Ed Ingebretzen,S.J.

Literary Reflection:

Enjoy this poetic version of the gospel story by Father Michael J. Kennedy, S.J.

Too Good to be True

(3rd Sunday of Easter)

Though it was

An expectedly tense

Meeting of the betrayed

And his embarrassed traitor

Still the scene at the fish fry at

The shore where the Master

Waited for the disciples

Took a surprising turn

For no penalty was

Enforced or even hinted

Just the suggestion of fish

And Peter must have been

Astounded that it looked like

He might not be punished

Or even scolded one

Teensy weensy bit

Again and again

He asked him

To share

In the

Feast

And the author makes a

Nice showing of balance

For Peter is given the chance

To tell him three times that he

Loved him just as three times

He had denied him yet there

Really is no balance at all

For the Lord simply gives

Undeserved or earned

Forgiveness showing

Yet again that this

Good News

Really is too

Good to be

True.

Closing Prayer

From “Sacred Space 2022”, a service of the Irish Jesuits:

Jesus you meet me at the water’s edge of my ordinary life. You accept me lovingly, you encourage me, you invite me to abundance. Nourished by the food of your word, warmed by the fire of your unfailing love, May I, in turn, nourish, heal, and love those I meet today.