John 21
For some reason, St Peter decided to go fishing after the risen Christ had appeared to him and the other disciples. Apparently, it was fishing not with a rod but with nets from a boat for some serious purpose. I doubt it was just for pleasure because he and the other disciples struggled the whole night desperate to catch any. We don’t know exactly why they had to stay all night, but eventually, they spent the whole night for nothing.
Did they go fishing because they did not know what to do even if risen Jesus had confirmed them of his resurrection? Or was it a symbolic event that suggests the apostles were trying to proclaim the Good News and to gather new people for Christ without any success? Or they might have gone fishing because they were dismayed at their unsuccessful attempts to bring Good News to people. They might have thought they should go back to their old job since there was no Jesus who could lead them together like before although he had risen from death.
Any way, risen Jesus showed his power once again. He filled the nets of the apostles. The apostles only had to haul them to the shore. The apostles were reminded that their life and their work are in the hand of the Lord.
One of the difficulties of the priesthood is to handle frustrations. Often I feel defeated when there is no result. The number of parishioners is staggering. The parish offers various events offered to attract more parishioners, but I see only the same faithful parishioners. And so on and so forth.
But as Jesus told his disciples on the boat without catching any fish, he is telling me to cast the net to the right side. So often my own vision directs my ministry. What I really need is to listen to the voice of risen Christ. So often I forget the risen Christ stands by my side. It is not I but Christ who is to lead the ministry. And I serve not ‘my’ parishioners but Christs’ people.
