First Reading: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Responsorial: Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14 Gospel: John 21:1-19
The Power of Love by Msgr. Richard Henning
Acts tells the story of human hearts transformed by relationship to the Lord Jesus. Those closest to Jesus in his earthly ministry failed him at the moment of his deepest suffering. Nevertheless, he never failed to love them. And he prophesied that they would eventually find the faithfulness they lacked at that hour.
His prophecy comes to pass as men who slept in the garden and ran from the cross now boldly proclaim their relationship to Jesus and invite others into the saving power of his love. In his name, they proclaim release from sins, heal the lame, and invite all to see God’s grace. In today’s passage, Peter and the other Apostles find themselves on trial before the Sanhedrin. The men who fled in fear before now stand without fear of human attempts to stifle their good news. They will only obey God: they are now faithful to Jesus’ command to witness to him beginning from Jerusalem.
In the passage from Revelation, the transformation of Jesus followers endures. The visions in this book were addressed to Christians who suffered persecution in the name of the Emperor whose cult demanded their worship. The vision in this passage speaks of the heavenly court where the Lamb who was slain receives the worship and honor due to the one who has conquered death and brought hope and life. The contrast with the false worship of the tyrant is clear. And these Christians learn the lesson of Apostles in Acts: that they must give their allegiance and obedience to God rather than men.
The Gospel of John appears to conclude at the end of chapter twenty. Today, we hear from an additional chapter, twenty-one, which serves as an epilogue to the Gospel. This does not diminish the importance of this scene. It is rich with meaning and provides a link between the end of the Gospel story and the life of Jesus’ new family, the Church.
The passage opens with disappointing news: Peter and the others appear to have returned to their previous life as fishermen. It may be that John wishes us to see this story as symbolic of their new ministry as “fishers of men,” but the fact that they fish “at night” suggests that we are to see some regression in their behavior. They have yet to fully understand and accept the implications of Jesus’ resurrection. Their transformation is not yet complete.
Jesus, the light of the world, appears at daybreak and they still do not recognize him. It is only when Jesus brings them a miraculous catch of fish that the beloved disciple sees that “it is the Lord!” The spotlight then shifts to the impetuous Peter who finds himself beside a charcoal fire as Jesus feeds his friends. The charcoal fire and Peter’s threefold declaration of love for Jesus cannot help but remind us of Peter’s denials beside the charcoal fire after Jesus’ arrest.
The dialog between Jesus and Peter does more than allow Peter to reverse his three denials. We see here the transformation of Peter worked by the Lord. In the Greek language Jesus and Peter use two different words for love, and Jesus brings Peter to a new level of understanding of his relationship to Jesus and his call to serve Jesus’ flock. The transformation is confirmed by Jesus’ prophetic word. Peter will no longer fall back into his former life as if nothing has happened. The frightened Peter will become fearless witness even to death.
And the transformation is not limited to Peter. This scene is replete with sacramental imagery that should bring our minds back to the Easter Vigil. Notice that Peter leaps into the water when he recognizes the Lord and remember the faith of the catechumens who passed through the water of life. See that the Lord feeds them abundantly, giving them bread and commanding Peter to feed the flock, and recall the Lord feeding us in the Eucharist. See the fire and the coming of the dawn and remember the Easter proclamation of “Christ our light.”
The transformation of Peter and the others in this passage models the transformation to which every believer is called. We too must recognize the Lord in our midst; feel his life giving waters, taste his love, live in his light. He calls each of us to leave behind our old lives, to witness to him, and to give tender care to his new family of faith. Transformed by the power of his love we too cry out “it is the Lord.”
