There are a handful of incidents in today’s Gospel reading from John that refer back to encounters Jesus had with his Apostles before his death and resurrection. Jesus waits on the shore as seven of his disciples; Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two others, return from a night of fishing. This is reminiscent of when Jesus first came to Andrew and Simon, James, and John as they were casting and mending nets and he invited them to follow him.

The disciples are on their way back to shore with their nets empty, and Jesus suggests that they cast their net over the right side, and they quickly find that they “were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish.” Peter had this experience in one of his first encounters with Jesus when he had been fishing all night and Jesus encouraged him to put out into the deep water, and that time they were able to fill two boats with fish.

After their great catch “of one hundred fifty-three large fish,” John told Peter that the Lord was the one who had instructed them. Just as when Jesus approached his disciples that night walking on the stormy waters, Peter jumped out of the boat and walked on water until he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. Peter again “jumped into the sea.” Did he walk on water all the way to shore this time? And when Peter and the disciples came to shore “they saw a charcoal fire.” The most recent event with another charcoal fire was outside the gate where Jesus was led for his judgment. To keep warm Peter joined the servants and slaves huddled around a charcoal fire. It was at that charcoal fire that Peter denied Jesus. The final scene in today’s account was when Jesus offered cooked fish and bread to his disciples, this is reminiscent of Jesus feeding the five thousand with two loaves and a few fish.

Throughout our lives, we will have encounters with people and experience incidents that we have experienced before. We may not have been as present as we may have wanted to be when attempting to comfort someone, we may have given in to temptation we regretted, we may have been involved in some task and made a mistake, or as Peter had done gone against our better instincts, as he had denied Jesus three times at that charcoal fire. Peter wept when he heard the cock crow. The sound brought back Jesus’ prediction, brought to light Peter’s own denial and cowardice. How many times must he have berated himself, how many times have we done so when we have sinned, fallen short of our goals, or made mistakes?

Making mistakes and taking risks, are necessary for learning and growing in any endeavor in life. Jesus does not want us to beat ourselves up when we fall short, fail, nor even when we sin. What is required for maturation is an honest assessment of the situation, an acknowledgment of our mistakes and sins, a healthy sense of guilt but not a turning in upon ourselves and steeping in our own guilt. Once we have recognized what we have done or have failed to do, we then repent, correct our mistakes, confess, and make the proper adjustments. Often, we overcompensate in the beginning, but as we remain persistent and seek God’s help and guidance, we will reach a healthy balance.

Jesus returns to be with his disciples after his resurrection, he meets them in very similar settings as he had before his death. All of his disciples failed him. Jesus did not condemn, but instead forgave them. Jesus showed them how far they had come since he first called them, while at the same time helped them to see how far they still had to go to. Jesus is not only their teacher but the divine source of their own transformation.

Jesus has risen, he is new life, he appeared to his disciples to guide, encourage, and empower them to be who God called them to be. Jesus offers us the same access to the wellspring of his humanity and divinity. Our repentance and Jesus’ forgiveness go beyond helping us to become better people. Through the love of Jesus, we are invited to experience a new beginning each day. When we are willing to surrender to him, participate in the sacraments, and pray, our minds, hearts, and souls will change, we will be redeemed, transformed, and conformed to Jesus and share more in his life. Good news to not only share in word but in deed. Alleluia!!!

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Photo credit: While on my evening Rosary walk, a new bloom of Bermuda Buttercups. In Jesus’ name, may this day be a new beginning for us as well! St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminar, Boynton Beach, FL.

Link for the Mass readings for Friday, April 5, 2024