HOMILIES

Dear Audience,
For better understanding of the spiritual message behind this homily I kindly remind you to first read and contemplate the biblical texts before reading or listening to my preaching - a human reflection on the Word of God!

Third Sunday of Easter (Year C)

May 4, 2025

706

Listen Read

First Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (5:27-32, 40b-41)

When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, "We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name? Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us."

But Peter and the apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors and raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and saviour to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms of David (30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13)

(R) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O Lord, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. O Lord, you brought me up from the netherworld, you preserved me from among those going down into the pit. (R)

Sing praise to the Lord, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger lasts but a moment, a lifetime, his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. (R)

Hear, O Lord, and have pity on me, O Lord, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing, O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks. (R)

Second Reading

A reading from the Book of Revelation (5:11-14)

I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice:

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing."

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out:

"To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever."

The four living creatures answered, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (21:1-19)

At that time, Jesus revealed himself 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 case 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 the 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 the 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."

(P) The Gospel of the Lord.
(R) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

Once two friends were fishing together. "Do you think you can go fishing in heaven?" asked John. "I don't know" said Tom "but here's an idea - the one who gets there first should let the other know." A few months passed, and John died with a sudden heart attack. Tom carried on going fishing on his own and one day he heard a voice, "Hello Tom." "Who is that?" Tom asked. "It's John. You can't see me, but I can see you," he said. "Oh John! It's good to hear from you," said Tom "Can you go fishing in heaven?" John said, "Well, I've good news and bad news. The good news is that in heaven we can go fishing every day if we like. The bad news is that you are joining us for a fishing adventure tomorrow."

When Peter and other disciples went fishing, little did they know that Jesus would join them uninvited. After His resurrection, just as He had promised Jesus appeared to the disciples over a period of forty days and joined with them in all their activities except in sin.

Throughout the Easter Season we are reading the accounts of mysterious appearances of the risen Jesus to His disciples and others. Today we read one such account which, according to the gospel of John, was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples, John (21:1-19). While the previous appearances reported by John and other writers had taken place in and around Jerusalem, today's appearance occurred on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. By then the disciples had become genuinely convinced that Jesus rose from the dead and that He was alive and was appearing to many people in different ways and various places.

Especially, when they had huddled together behind closed doors in fear, pain, doubt, and confusion, Jesus appeared, greeted them with the gift of peace, showed His wounds and gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit. With their lives truly transformed as a result of their experience, the disciples had returned to their homes and former occupation of fishing. One late evening Peter and six other disciples went fishing, but unfortunately their efforts were fruitless despite staying up all night. They caught nothing, not a single fish.

It was the same sea where they had caught thousands of fish before becoming Jesus' followers. But this time their nets were empty. They were hungry, tired, weary and discouraged not just physically but also spiritually, and they were ready to return home at dawn. That's when and where Jesus appeared to them again. In fact, He had been watching them from the shore, but they either couldn't see him or took no notice of him. Seeing their frustration and futile endeavour, Jesus called to the disciples from the shore asking, "Children, have you caught any fish?", John (21:5). By calling the disciples "children" Jesus showed His intimacy, deep affection and care as their Creator, Sustainer, and Provider.

When they replied "nothing" Jesus instructed them to cast their empty nets on the other side of the boat, which the disciples did without question, even though they did not yet recognize Jesus. They probably assumed that the one who was calling to them was an elderly person. However, it resulted in a miraculous catch.

Only when they were pulling the nets to the shore, did John recognize Jesus on the shore and exclaimed, "It is the Lord". Immediately Peter threw himself into the sea to reach Jesus before the others. The last time when he jumped into the water while Jesus was with them Peter had said to Him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to You on the water", Matthew (14:28). Trusting in Jesus' command to "come" he got out of the boat and tried to walk on the water but started sinking because of fear and lack of faith. But this time, as soon as he heard John say, "It is the Lord", Peter wrapped his outer garment around him and plunged himself into the waters without putting any conditions, or demands, or requests to Jesus, John (21: 6-7).

When they got back to land, they saw Jesus waiting for them with bread and fish on a charcoal fire. Despite having enough bread and fish for everyone Jesus told Peter to bring some of their catch too. The amounts of fish and bread were no problem for Jesus when it came to feeding any number of people. Jesus did not need anything from them. But by asking for their catch of fish, Jesus was saying that He did value their efforts and sharing. Eventually they sat down and had breakfast together with bread and fish. The last time they ate a meal together was at the Last Supper of Jesus when Jesus had predicted their denials, betrayals and cowardice. But now, by sharing a meal with them after His resurrection Jesus demonstrated His continuous presence and love for them.

He wanted them to know that He was not distant or detached but rather still present in their lives, dispelling their doubts and fears, offering love and companionship regardless of their transgressions, and restoring His relationship with them, especially Peter. Because Peter was probably the most afraid, embarrassed, hurt and ashamed of all the disciples. Despite his bold promise during the Last Supper that he would never desert or deny Jesus, he ultimately did so, Matthew (26:33-57). That's why during this appearance Jesus particularly called out to Peter, just like his earlier call to Thomas to believe in Him by touching His wounds.

Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to redeem himself by reaffirming His love, devotion, and commitment to Him three times, mirroring Peter's denial of Him previously. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" three times, and Peter affirmed his love each time. Following each affirmation, Jesus said, "Feed my lambs", "Tend my sheep," and finally, "Feed my sheep," signifying Peter's restoration and call to leadership and shepherding of the community of believers. It implied that, like a shepherd, Peter had a responsibility to teach, guide, nurture, and protect those in the Christian faith and the church and, to go out and seek the lost and the neglected in the world.

Jesus then predicted Peter's suffering and eventual death by crucifixion, saying, "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 l ead you where you do not want to go", John (21:18-19). Which is interpreted as referring to Peter's martyrdom. Tradition says that Peter was crucified upside down at his own request as he felt unworthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus Christ. After restoring Peter to fellowship and publicly calling him to lead and serve His followers, the Church, Jesus said to him, "Follow me".

What is the message for us?

Two weeks have passed since we celebrated the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ with beautiful Easter hymns and songs. Now that we've all returned to the routine of our lives, we can expect the Risen Christ to show Himself to us, like He did for his disciples. He appears not just within the walls of a church, where we await Him in prayer and worship but also in our daily lives, offering His life-giving power and renewing our faith, hope, and love. When we find ourselves labouring in vain and grappling with empty hands, when we feel empty and unfulfilled in life, when we face setbacks and failures despite our best efforts, we should remember that Jesus is always watching us from far and near. Sometimes, He is right in front, and behind, and beside us although we do not recognize Him. He is always there, ready to turn our emptiness into abundance.

When He sees us with empty nets and we are feeling discouraged, He cares about our concerns because He is our Father. Sometimes He intervenes miraculously, often in strange and unusual ways, to save us from our troubles. He gives us directives and instructions on how to deal with various situations. When He does give us instructions we must obey Him with a humble loving submissive heart, even when they seem illogical or beyond our understanding. Indeed, when we empty ourselves by renouncing our own efforts, talents, skills, abilities, expertise, and self-reliance, and acknowledge our dependence on our Lord Jesus Christ, and sincerely obeying His commands, we will surely receive many wonderful blessings in our lives.
Just as Jesus fed His disciples in this meal and in the Last Supper before His crucifixion, Jesus feeds us with the bread and wine that have become His Body and Blood in the Eucharist, thereby offering His continuous presence and life to us. At the same time, Jesus also invites us to bring our gifts, talents and efforts, regardless of quantity or value, as a sign of gratitude and dedication to Him. Because the Eucharist is not just about receiving, but also about giving back, living out the teachings of Christ in our actions and relationships. Remember, Jesus appreciates even a small, sacrificial offering given with a sincere heart, Mark (12:43).
Jesus gives all of us many chances to reaffirm our love for Him after we fail Him. He gives us opportunities to return to Him and renew our commitment to Him even after we deny Him before others. When we do reaffirm our love and commitment to Him, like Peter, we are also entrusted with the task of teaching His Word, guiding, caring, and protecting others, especially His followers. However, we should not be surprised when trials and suffering come to us. Although Jesus did not predict suffering for all followers, His prediction of Peter's martyrdom reveals that following Him can involve significant sacrifice and persecution.

Therefore, today, let us pray that, like Peter, we may have the courage to follow Jesus and be faithful in our calling regardless of the consequences, even if we may have to suffer differently from others.

(P) Amen.

God Bless You!

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