Fr. Francois Noah sx
The Third Sunday of Easter suggests a long gospel extract that highlights three themes that help to review and to improve our understanding of Jesus’ calls. How should we answer to these calls? - The gospel goes from the decision of Simon Peter to return to his fishing activity and culminate in his second call. As we examine this gospel passage, let us look deeply at
1) The void in the life of the apostles,
2) The presence of Jesus and
3) The second call of Simon Peter.
The void in the life of the apostles followed the Passion, the Death and the Resurrection of Jesus. This period is marked by the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Simon Peter and the loss of control on these events. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the apostles did not understand the course of these events and their significance.
After a series of events in which the apostles were not protagonists, Simon Peter suggested to his fellows to return to their usual activity. That is fishing. His companions agreed and followed him. Yet, they did not master anything and did not understand what was going on. This is called the period of void. His former way of life became increasingly attractive to Simon Peter though he found himself and his companions in a position of spectators. Thus, their social status was no longer providing them credibility. So, by returning to the former way of life, they tried to regain confidence in themselves.
As they went to fish and to work during the night, it happened that they did not catch any fish. Unpredictably, the caring presence of Jesus entered into the scene but it was not recognized at the first sight. It was recognized after a typical dialogue, and after following his instructions on how to fish. Peter did not recognize Jesus even after the great catch of fish. It was the disciple the Lord loved who recognized him.
Jesus’s presence goes beyond imagination. It transcends what we can see in the temple or in the church. The Risen Christ is beyond time and space. But what the apostles do is not hidden to him. In his new presence, Jesus, the Master, serves his disciples. He prepares breakfast and baked some fish for them. His presence helps to move from stagnation to “the second call”.
Simon Peter’s second call comes after his dialogue with Jesus who questioned him three times if he loves him. Twice, Simon Peter seems to respond easily. The third time, it was not easy anymore. Simon Peter felt uncomfortable and answered that Jesus knew everything… Anyway, he receives the mission of taking care of Jesus’ sheep. Here comes a mysterious revelation: Mission is not based on the love for the sheep nor on personal competency. Simon Peter’s mission is founded on the love of Jesus. It is the love for Jesus that sustains our mission.
Saint Guido Maria Conforti understood it well as he quoted St. Paul who reminds us that “The Love of Christ impels us.” Another point to highlight is that, Jesus did not entrust his mission to the disciple who loved him more, but to Simon Peter.
The Third Sunday of Easter reminds us that sometimes we think we have made a wrong decision in choosing to follow the Risen Christ and we are tempted to return to our former way of life. However, even when we are uncertain, Jesus’ new presence helps us receive “the second call” and to establish our vocation in the love we have for the Risen Lord. If we love Jesus, then we can take care of God’s people.
The Third Sunday of Easter suggests a long gospel extract that highlights three themes that help to review and to improve our understanding of Jesus’ calls. How should we answer to these calls? - The gospel goes from the decision of Simon Peter to return to his fishing activity and culminate in his second call. As we examine this gospel passage, let us look deeply at
1) The void in the life of the apostles,
2) The presence of Jesus and
3) The second call of Simon Peter.
The void in the life of the apostles followed the Passion, the Death and the Resurrection of Jesus. This period is marked by the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Simon Peter and the loss of control on these events. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the apostles did not understand the course of these events and their significance.
After a series of events in which the apostles were not protagonists, Simon Peter suggested to his fellows to return to their usual activity. That is fishing. His companions agreed and followed him. Yet, they did not master anything and did not understand what was going on. This is called the period of void. His former way of life became increasingly attractive to Simon Peter though he found himself and his companions in a position of spectators. Thus, their social status was no longer providing them credibility. So, by returning to the former way of life, they tried to regain confidence in themselves.
As they went to fish and to work during the night, it happened that they did not catch any fish. Unpredictably, the caring presence of Jesus entered into the scene but it was not recognized at the first sight. It was recognized after a typical dialogue, and after following his instructions on how to fish. Peter did not recognize Jesus even after the great catch of fish. It was the disciple the Lord loved who recognized him.
Jesus’s presence goes beyond imagination. It transcends what we can see in the temple or in the church. The Risen Christ is beyond time and space. But what the apostles do is not hidden to him. In his new presence, Jesus, the Master, serves his disciples. He prepares breakfast and baked some fish for them. His presence helps to move from stagnation to “the second call”.
Simon Peter’s second call comes after his dialogue with Jesus who questioned him three times if he loves him. Twice, Simon Peter seems to respond easily. The third time, it was not easy anymore. Simon Peter felt uncomfortable and answered that Jesus knew everything… Anyway, he receives the mission of taking care of Jesus’ sheep. Here comes a mysterious revelation: Mission is not based on the love for the sheep nor on personal competency. Simon Peter’s mission is founded on the love of Jesus. It is the love for Jesus that sustains our mission.
Saint Guido Maria Conforti understood it well as he quoted St. Paul who reminds us that “The Love of Christ impels us.” Another point to highlight is that, Jesus did not entrust his mission to the disciple who loved him more, but to Simon Peter.
The Third Sunday of Easter reminds us that sometimes we think we have made a wrong decision in choosing to follow the Risen Christ and we are tempted to return to our former way of life. However, even when we are uncertain, Jesus’ new presence helps us receive “the second call” and to establish our vocation in the love we have for the Risen Lord. If we love Jesus, then we can take care of God’s people.