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. (John 21:5-6)
Hearing our Savior refer to the disciples as children brings to mind thoughts of my parents. They are always loving, supportive, nurturing and available whenever I need them. Their love is unconditional and no matter how old I am I will always be their child. I guess I would say that they are my first experience of God’s great love for me; and this thought fills me with joy and expectation of what is yet to come.
Few things make my parents happier that to be able to cook for me, and like a parent, Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast." (John 21:12) And he shares with them the intimacy of a meal. Tonight, we gathered together, grandparents, grandchildren, children and siblings, together in prayer, sharing a meal, sharing the grace of the gift of family, sharing the love of God.
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. (John 21: 15-17)
Like a parent knows his or her child, the Lord knows everything about us; he knows that we love him and he asks us to pass that love on to those we meet, to be builders of the faith, fishers of men.
“Children, have you caught anything...”….. "Follow me.”
Like Peter, may we all be strong witnesses to the faith we received through the
life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and may we forever praise the glory of his name. Amen
