Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way
We might have assumed that Jesus would only need to reveal himself once, and that after that his disciples would live on the basis of this new relationship with him. One encounter seemed to be enough to make them his disciples in the first place. But one revelation was not enough for them to experience how the resurrection had changed everything. Previously they had known him according to their expectations and preconceptions. But now that his glory had been revealed it took time for them to acclimate to that glory. We should not, therefore, be surprised by our own need to grow in our understanding and experience of the presence of Jesus in our midst.
Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."
They said to him, "We also will come with you."
The decision to return to a familiar activity like fishing savored of the fact that they were now uncertain of what was expected of them in light of the resurrection of Jesus. Before the cross they had ideas about how they could contribute and what value they could add. These were the impulses that motivated them as disciples. But after the cross, what remained to do be done? And if there was something to be done, ought it not be done by others, people who had not betrayed their Lord in his hour of need? After failure, they returned to the familiar, rather than the walk of faith. They had tried to find the meaning of their lives in following Jesus but came up short because of their own weakness and human frailty. Rather than returning to him, they returned to what they knew. But the fact that now they knew Jesus and were witnesses to his resurrection did change everything, even if they weren't sure how, or even if they wanted the change. After encountering the risen Lord they were not able to find satisfaction by pursuing former ways.
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
Fishing resulted in a long night of failure. After the night of sorrow, the dawn brought the joy of the presence of Jesus. Again he surprised his disciples in order to reveal himself. Yet what he told them was not, 'Stop fishing. You should know better', but something more along the lines of 'Stop trying to do life without me'. In the future fishing would only fail to satisfy if it was done without reference to Jesus and to the mission he had for his followers.
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.
Listening to the voice of Jesus, even before fully recognizing Jesus, was a gesture of faith by which they sought first his Kingdom. They responded to a call from outside of themselves to hope when the situation seemed hopeless. And because of this response they received not only the Kingdom but all else besides, even one hundred fifty-three large fish, which may have represented all species. The revelation came precisely in the moment when they remembered that Jesus himself was the only one who could give meaning to their lives. And it implied that their real purpose would still be found in the call of Jesus to be fishers of women and men. The real catch would include, not fish, but people of every tribe, tongue, and nation. It would be truly universal (that is, catholic). And it would be one, just as, even with so many fish, the net did not tear.
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.
They were meant to be with Jesus, and to enjoy the feast found in the house of the Father, rather than trying to make the best of it on their own. Then, in that place, their own meager efforts would be taken up and transformed. The fish brought to that breakfast was a little like the offerings brought forward at mass, or the humble elements of bread and wine, supplied to be transformed, or the small individual sacrifices, that we unite with the one sacrifice Jesus himself offered to the Father. It was in this way that the world was sanctified, when all of the 'natural' and 'secular' world was taken up and transformed. This led for the disciples, as it does for us, into the call to mission. As we often hear, our call is to "Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord".
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
"His mercy endures forever."
Let those who fear the LORD say,
"His mercy endures forever."
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