What is the mission entrusted to Christ’s disciples and how do they carry it out in their everyday life situations? Today’s passage answers these questions through an episode full of symbolism. Today’s passage speaks of seven disciples on a boat going fishing. The number seven indicates perfection, completeness. Peter and the other six represent entire Christian community, that is constituted of the various types of Christians—doubters, fanatics, those who deny the Master, traditionalists, and even anonymous Christians.
The sea is the symbol of all the forces that are the enemies of man. If submerged in water one would be left to the mercy of evil. Therefore, fishing means to pull oneself out of this condition of “absence of life” and to free oneself from the forces of evil and death. Think of all those forces in the world that prevent us from living joyfully and prevent us from smiling: the lust for money, grudges, uncontrolled passions, drugs, pornography, anxiety, haste, remorse, fear….
John speaks of Peter and companions going back to doing their job of fishing. But, as he speaks to the members of his community towards the end of the first century, his purpose is to explain the Church’s apostolic mission to liberate the people of God from the depths of the sea of evil forces.
They work all night, but caught nothing, says the Gospel. Peter and the others strive to the utmost in the mission entrusted to them, but their efforts are of no use. Because, they still did not have the light of Jesus. The Master had taught them already that: “Without me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
They are alone, perhaps feeling abandoned and frustrated amid dangers and difficulties. They think they must carry out their mission as “fishers of people,” relying solely on their abilities and strength. But at the dawn of the new day, they listen again to the voice of the Master. The Master has not left them alone! He comes to them, and guides the disciples in their activity. “Cast the net over the right side of the boat…”
As soon as they trust him, the miracle happens: against all human logic, against all reasonable expectations, they obtain an amazing result. John wants the Christians of his communities to come to understand that Jesus, while standing on the “shore,” that is, in the glory of the Father, is always beside them every day and continues to make his voice resound, calling, speaking, indicating what they must do.
The meaning of this curious detail is the following: the Christian community will successfully conclude its mission of salvation. The whole people, the whole of humanity, will be freed from the bonds of death. The disciples will succeed in this great undertaking, provided we let ourselves be guided by the voice of the Risen Lord.
For your reflection
Like the seven disciples on the Lake of Galilee, the entire Christian community is asked to present fish, the fruit of their apostolic work. On the other hand, the bread is always offered freely by Jesus; people do not bring it. It is the Eucharist; it is the bread that the Risen One breaks.
Father Josekutty
Mathew CMF
