Tim Greenway:Jesus4OurWorld: 3rd Sunday of Easter C Sunday Reflection

"Salt to the Earth"

Reflections on the Sunday Readings.

What People Say

"spiritually stimulating and inspiring reflections...a wonderful book which will lead us and others to God," Bishop Anthony Poola, Bishop of Kurnool, India.

"deep and profound reflections which will nourish and sustain God-thirsting souls", Fr. Bernard Swarna D.C.L. Episcopal Vicar, Judicial Vicar, Archdiocese of Hyderabad, India.

"This book can transform your life" Fr. Kata Rajulu, Germany

"These reflections will serve their purpose if they encourage you to open the door to him (Jesus, Rev.3:20) and let him into your life. he will then dine with you and you with him and that will be another story - your story". From the author's Introduction.

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3^rd Sunday of Easter C

Acts 5:27-32. 40-41. Psalm 29:2.4-6.11-13. Rv.2. Apocalypse 5:11-14. John 21:1-19

Obedience to God comes before obedience to men.

I will praise you Lord you have rescued me.

To the One on the throne and to the Lamb be all praise, honour glory and power.

Yes Lord you know I love you. Feed my sheep

John 21:1-19

Later on, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: ² Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. ³ Simon Peter said, 'I'm going fishing.' They replied, 'We'll come with you.' They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night. ⁴ When it was already light, there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. ⁵ Jesus called out, 'Haven't you caught anything, friends?' And when they answered, 'No,' ⁶ he said, 'Throw the net out to starboard and you'll find something.' So they threw the net out and could not haul it in because of the quantity of fish. ⁷ The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' At these words, 'It is the Lord,' Simon Peter tied his outer garment round him (for he had nothing on) and jumped into the water. ⁸ The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net with the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land. ⁹ As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. ¹⁰ Jesus said, 'Bring some of the fish you have just caught.' ¹¹ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. ¹² Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, 'Who are you?'. They knew quite well it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was the third time that Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead. ¹⁵ When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' ¹⁶ A second time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' He replied, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Look after my sheep.' ¹⁷ Then he said to him a third time, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt that he asked him a third time, 'Do you love me?' and said, 'Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ In all truth I tell you, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.' ¹⁹ In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, 'Follow me.'

Mission or Self

The faith of the disciples is weak and aimlessly they return to their comfort zone of fishing. They catch nothing, though they work all night. Without Jesus, there is no success. It will be night. Jesus comes and stands on the shore. It is dawn. They do not recognize him. Jesus never leaves us but how many recognize him? We can get very close to him but do we? There is now no way of recognizing Jesus except through faith. The group are still fledgling disciples and their faith is immature. They follow his instructions and they catch a multitude of fish. The beloved disciple recognizes Jesus. It is love that brings our faith to life and enables us to recognize Jesus. The catch of fish reminds us that Jesus gives a mission to the church. They are to be fishers of men. Peter takes the lead in approaching Jesus. His faith may be weak, and he is always behind the beloved disciple, yet he loves Jesus and as he will profess ‘more than these’. There on the shore is a fire and Jesus gives his disciples a meal as he gives us the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is primarily food by which we become what we receive. There is enough bread from heaven for everyone on earth. The net full of large fish was unbroken.

There on the shore is a charcoal fire, as in the courtyard of the High Priest. After the breakfast next to the fire Jesus asks the threefold question, ‘Do you love me more than these’? Each time as Peter makes his profession, Jesus says feed my lambs, feed my sheep. Jesus reinstates Peter as shepherd of his flock once he, the Chief Shepherd, has returned to his Father. For him and for all who will share in his work of feeding and caring for the flock the important quality is love for Jesus. If we love Jesus we will love and care for his sheep. Only if we have love for Jesus will we be able to give our lives for his sheep. Pastors must remember they are “my lambs” and “my sheep” and will have to give an account of their love for them. ‘It is the Father’s will that not even one be lost of those who have been given to me’ (John 6:39). Jesus immediately tells Peter that he will have to give his life for the sheep as he had to do. Likewise all those who share in Peter’s work of caring for the flock are to give their lives for them. This may be by their blood as Peter or till old age as the beloved disciple. To be a pastor is to selflessly lay down one’s life in union with the Good Shepherd. Are we not all pastors?

Do you pray for the Church and the pastors in the Church?

Father grant the Church zeal for its mission and pastors who give their lives for the flock.