The following reflection on John 21:1-19 was written for and published in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California E News “Explorations in the Gospel of John” on April 26, 2022.
May 1 – The Third Sunday of Easter
John 21:1-19
After casting their net to the starboard side of the boat for a tremendous catch, the disciples realize that the man on the shore who told them to do so is the Risen Christ. Peter then girds himself and jumps into the sea, leaving his friends to beach the boat. Peter helps haul the net ashore after seeing the charcoal fire, which likely reminds him of the fire that kept him warm when he abandoned Jesus and denied him three times (John 18:18). A delicious breakfast of fried fish is prepared from among the 153 fish caught. At the time, it was thought that there were 153 species of fish, so this number suggests that all people from every tribe and nation will ultimately be saved and held by the untorn net of God’s love, according to St. Jerome.
During this third appearance of the Risen Christ to the disciples (on this Third Sunday of Easter), Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” thus paralleling and absolving Peter’s previous three denials. When Peter responds in the affirmative, Jesus urges him to demonstrate his love by feeding and tending God’s flock, which will require of him significant self-sacrifice. The independent Peter who previously girded himself as he impulsively leapt from one activity to another will eventually be girded by someone else while being led along the Way of the Cross, thus emulating the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. Before making his final sacrifice in martyrdom, this same Peter exhorts church leaders to gird themselves in humility as they care for God’s flock and await the Chief Shepherd who will award them with the crown of glory that never fades away (1 Peter 5:2-5).
The Rev. Dr. Daniel DeForest London
DANIEL DeFOREST LONDON 