Exterior: Seaside (Day)

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, May 4th, 2025:
Third Sunday of Easter

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John
​21.1-19​

At that time, 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?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." 

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

Jesus said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that Jesus 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."

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

This passage is Lectio Divina heaven. The lapping sea waves, the wood fire crackling and sizzling fish. Peter dripping in his wet clothes in the tender morning sun. The emotions are a roller coaster – despair, elation, nervousness, distress, wonder.

This time I got stuck on the moment between Jesus’ last request of Peter to “feed my sheep,” and His (seemingly) immediate follow-up describing Peter’s future arrest and martyrdom. It seems like a pretty dark turn in the conversation after what has been a very joyful and almost whimsical morning. It seems sudden and disconnected.

My Lectio brain furiously tries to fill in this moment.


Ext. Beach, day:
Jesus: “Feed my sheep.”
Peter looks out at the sea, in the direction of his fishing boat. Tears start to well in his eyes. He can’t meet Jesus’s gaze. Peter turns to look at the Apostles gathered around the fire, laughing at something inaudible. Andrew is doing his little two-step dance again. Peter can’t help but smile.
Jesus comes closer, and also looks over at the cluster of Apostles fondly. He puts a hand on Peter’s shoulder.
Jesus [wistful]: “Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted.” 


To me, the subtext is, “Yes Peter, there was a time before you knew Me when you could be more like those guys – full of the self-interest of youth, making your own plans for your own ideas of success. And I know that you’re worried that you’ll slip back into those old ways if I leave you alone with them. I know you fear that you’re inadequate for the mission I’m giving you. That, perhaps, you cannot love as I have loved, and as I have commanded you to love.”
 
OK, back to the scene…

Peter turns back to Jesus, looking straight at Him.
Jesus [reassuring]: “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.”
Peter breaks out into a huge smile, exhaling much pent-up worry and sorrow…

Considered in this light, to me it’s as though Jesus is making this promise to Peter not as an ominous prophesy of a violent martyrdom, but as consolation that he will see the mission through to the bitter, glorious end. When your moment comes, Peter, you will stretch out your hands for Me. You will submit obediently, as I did, and in remembrance of Me. You will go where you don’t want to go, as I prayed to have the cup pass me, and yet, you will attain everlasting life.

More than once in the Gospels, Jesus told Peter and the Apostles (and us, by extension) to pray not to be put to the test. We pray it in the Our Father. But how consoling would it be to be told that even when we are put to the test, Jesus has prayed for our triumph and has promised we will persevere for Him until the end?

Let us keep praying, with the intercession of Our Lady and Peter, that we too will stretch out our hands, and in them receive His embrace.




Kate Mosher

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