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Dio CheyenneAs we celebrate the Third Sunday of Easter, we meditate on the third appearance of the Risen Lord and the gifts of forgiveness and redemption.
At Lake Tiberias of Galilee, Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, Zebedee’s sons, and two unnamed disciples have returned home to an unsuccessful night of fishing. At daybreak, the hour when the cock crows, Jesus Christ appears on the shore unrecognizable to his disciples, and he asks if they have caught anything. When the fishermen respond in the negative, Jesus suggests that they cast the net over the right side of the boat. The resulting catch is reminiscent of another morning, long before the Crucifixion of Jesus, when a stranger suggested that Simon put his net out into deep water. Simon and the sons of Zebedee were so astonished at the number of fish they caught that day that they “left everything” to follow Jesus (Luke 5: 4-11).
After journeying with Jesus for three years and experiencing the death of their teacher, the empty tomb, and two appearances of the Risen Lord, Simon Peter and the others are again in the familiar waters of Galilee. At the moment when they realize that the catch is abundant, the disciple whom Jesus loved says, “It is the Lord” (John 21:7). And the Lord has prepared them breakfast – fish and bread.
When they have finished eating, Jesus Christ asks: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter responds: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you” (John 21:15). Jesus Christ asks Simon Peter twice more, and both times, Simon Peter responds that he loves Jesus. With each question and answer, Jesus draws Peter away from the shame he carries as a result of denying his friend and teacher. With each question and answer, Jesus Christ and Simon Peter reestablish their friendship. With each question and answer, Jesus brings Peter closer to his true identity as Rock of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.
Reflection: Three denials were forgiven with three affirmations of love. During this Easter season, are you called to initiate a path to forgiveness and redemption with someone with whom you have a broken relationship?
