Homily @ Eastertide: He Comes

 

Year C / Eastertide / Week 3 / Sunday 

Readings: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 / Psalm: 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 (R/v 2a) / Revelation 5:11-14/ John 21:1-19

“Jesus showed himself again to the disciples….and it happened like this” (John 21.1)

This is how today’s gospel reading begins – with the joyful message all the Resurrection stories proclaim: Christ is risen! This message resounds more joyfully because Jesus comes back to those he loves most even when they’ve failed him, like Peter who betrayed him.
 
Last Sunday, the risen Jesus did this. He entered the locked room and  consoled the disciples who’d abandoned him, even Thomas who  doubted, with his peace. 

Today, Jesus comes to Peter and the disciples like he did the first time – while they were fishing but catching nothing. This time, the disciples are supporting Peter as he grapples with Jesus’ death and resurrection, even more, with his guilt and remorse for betraying Jesus.

For Pope Francis, Jesus’ return to his disciples declares this truth: that Jesus’ love embraces our frailties.* For us who also fail the Lord with our sinfulness, this must be assuring for His love remains strong and constant.  

In gospel, the Evangelist John ‘unpacks’ this truth in three ways the risen Jesus comes to the disciples and us.

First, Jesus meets us as we are. 

Jesus meets the disciples as they fish and catch nothing. He particularly meets Peter who is fishing for answers, not fish.  “What have I done? What were those three years of following Jesus about? Who is he really? Who am I? What’s next for me?” He is searching for meaning, a way forward, his purpose in life after betraying Jesus to his death. Truly, he is fishing in the dark, not because it is night and the best time to fish.

Aren’t we like Peter too, searching and asking the same questions? Fishing in the dark about the meaning of our lives, our place in the world, the peace and understanding we need? We ask these same questions when failures and losses confront us and regrets and disappointments injure us. 

We too leave places of pain and people who hurt us behind. We hope for better, only to discover that we can never escape ourselves, our life and the many people or events, for better or worse. Just like Peter who is unable to disassociate him from being called by Jesus, declaring he is the Christ, having his feet washed, betraying Jesus. Just like the risen Jesus himself whose body still bears his wounds.

The cross, the empty tomb, Jesus’ greeting “peace be with you” remain with us as reminders of how Jesus’ death and resurrection must order how we’re to live now – as Easter people, always in the joy and hope that Jesus has saved us for God. So let’s let Jesus meet us in our gratitude, joy and hope, no more in our fear, waywardness and despair.

Second, Jesus leads us to life.

Jesus comes to Peter and the disciples saying, “Have you caught anything, friends?” He recognises their nets are empty — a sign that their own lives are empty without him.

We have had similar experiences. We work hard, give our best and sometimes we come up empty. We love selflessly, sacrifice much for others and yet our hopes are unmet. 

“Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something,” Jesus commands. They do as Jesus wants them to – on the right side. 

Until now, Peter and the disciples have been fishing on the “Good Friday side” of the boat.  On this side, there are no fish, no answers, no way forward. Only emptiness. It’s no wonder their Good Friday pain, grief and loss deepens.

Following Jesus’ command, they catch plenty on the right side. They experience Jesus’ life-giving presence. Their nets are filled with fish. In his presence, their lives are full and hope-filled. This may be their resurrection moment: from emptiness to abundance, from life without Jesus to life in the risen Jesus.

Jesus’ words should also jolt us to action and into life. We need this push, for two weeks after Easter we might be back to our old habits, fixated thinking and sinful addictions. Back to our same old ways of being Christian. It’s as if Easter never happened, or if it did, it doesn't matter any longer. No wonder some of us are running on empty again. 

But hasn’t Jesus hasn’t already come and showed us where to cast our nets because he wants to fill them with a catch so abundant and life-giving? 

I believe Jesus has and will because He never casts anyone aside. He doesn’t and he won’t because everyone has potential and possibilities, even if they think their lives are empty. Not to Jesus.

Third, Jesus values us still.

Today’s gospel ends with hope. “Follow me,” Jesus commands Peter, the disciples and us. “Follow me, and live as resurrected people. Follow me, and fish in a different place. Follow me, and serve like I do.” 

Worthy to follow Jesus. This is how much Jesus values everyone. 

In our sinfulness, We all struggle to say “yes” to follow Jesus. He values us differently. He reveals this in how he assures Peter that he is not unworthy because of the betrayal but truly worthy because he has the potential to change for the better. Such is Jesus' love: it values, saves and gives peace because Jesus knows what each of us is capable of: faithful discipleship. 

Jesus meets us as we are. Jesus leads us to life. Jesus values us still.  These describe how the risen “Jesus showed himself again” to the disciples in today's gospel reading. They help us understand how Jesus comes into the ordinariness of our daily lives. And when He does, we will know something of the power of Jesus’ love. It is strong and constant. This can be for us that “resurrection moment” in the here and now of our everyday life, not just some distant, heavenly future we await.  So, let’s look out for Jesus daily. He comes as light that scatters darkness, as life that overflows out of emptiness, and as peace that assures us we are his beloved, never forgotten.  When we do experience this, give thanks for it is Easter again. And like Peter and the disciples that morning in their boat and then at breakfast by the lake, we will encounter Jesus who surprises us with His coming. Such will be our joy; we'll know we are his. Yes, this is what Easter is about – Love that declares God never forgets or gives up on us.

*Pope Francis, Reflections prior to the Regina Caeli, 24 April 2022 Preached at the Church of the Sacred Heart

artwork: beacon ministry (internet)