Third Sunday of Easter

Third Sunday of Easter - Year C

This Sunday we hear a rather long passage from the Gospel of John about a significant event in the post-resurrection narrative.

It begins with the image of Simon Peter, James and John, and a number of others fishing on the Sea of Galilee. This is a return to normalcy for them. They are aware that Jesus has risen; they have even seen Him themselves. And they have heard His call to carry on spreading the Good News. But, in the face of all that they have endured, they’ve headed back home to the boats from which he called them.

So, He stands on the shore and calls them again.

He asks them if they have caught anything, then asks them to cast their nets out again. And their nets are filled with so many fish that they cannot pull them in.

It’s a story that we’ve heard before - a direct callback to the origin story that we heard just before the start of Lent - of Peter, James and John being called to ‘come and follow me.' The difference this time is that they are being called to lead. Not to become disciples again but to grow through their discipleship to become apostles; to share the faith that they have received.

When he was first called, Peter doubted himself, going so far as to describe himself as a weak and sinful man. And we remember clearly how, in the story of the Passion, Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus remembers too, but he does not hold Peter at a distance, instead He asks Peter three times, ‘Do you love me?’ And restores their relationship.

One doesn’t cancel out the other, but Jesus’ love for His friends inspires love, and love heals. And He asks them again to, ‘Follow me.’

Pope Francis taught us that the heart of the Gospel is mercy, and it was a theme that followed him throughout his papacy to the very end. He taught by example that when we look into the heart of those we encounter, we do not see their weaknesses, or their failings, or our own. We see the image of God reflected in them, as Jesus did in Peter. And love inspires healing love.

As we walk through this Easter season, Lord, help me to love through my weakness. And to show others the mercy that you have shown me.

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