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SUNDAY
May 04, 2025
Liturgical Season
3rd Sunday
Easter
Year C
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Biblical Reflections

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Sunday, May 04, 2025

Listening the Spirit

Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Word so that all your people may know and love You more and understand You better.

As I go about my day may I not forget the scriptures you have opened up for me. Help me to recognize how You want for me to apply Your Word to my daily life. Holy Spirit, guided by Your Word, may You enlighten my mind and enkindle in my heart a greater love for You and for others in my family and in the world.

Amen.

Listening the Word: John 21:1-19

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, ""I am going fishing.""
They said to him, ""We also will come with you.""
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, ""Children, have you caught anything to eat?""
They answered him, ""No.""
So he said to them, ""Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.""
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ""It is the Lord.""
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, ""Bring some of the fish you just caught.""
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, ""Come, have breakfast.""
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, ""Who are you?""
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.

Reflection

In these times, we are used to fast changes. Communication, transportation and the internet make us impatient. If something takes too much time, people lose interest. Many kids struggle to watch a movie when they are used to TikTok videos. How often do we want to change our gadgets? I think that this way of doing affects also the way we want to bring changes in ourselves. We want to have a nice body by drinking some magic solutions. We buy books to learn a language in one month. I remember my grandpa stopping his medication because he didn't see any improvement after a few days. 
If it is like this in our daily life, how much more our spiritual life. I see an example of commitment, struggle but also slow progress and transformation in the life of st. Peter. We all remember the impetus of Peter answering the questions of Jesus: “depart from me because I am a sinner,” “you are the Christ, the son of the living God,” “if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water,” “I will never deny you, even if I have to die.” 
But after the resurrection we find a different person. A much humbler one. That doesn't dare to use agape (Christ like lovebut only phileo (a simple form of love like in friendship) when referring to the love he has for Jesus. I don't see it as a failure, but as a growth in self knowledge when confronted with Jesus. No more with that first impetus but still with faith in Jesus and with willingness to follow him and become a fisher and pastor of men.The process doesn't stop there. In the gospel of today we find a hint to the culmination in the process of faith of Peter. Faithful until death. Willing to give his life for Jesus loving him until the end. Just as Jesus did for him. 
How about us? Do we feel that we are stuck in our spiritual life and relationship with Jesus? How long have we tried to improve our little imperfections and it seems we don't go anywhere? Following Jesus and realizing the salvation he is giving us is not a matter of days, months or years but a matter of a life with him, with humble beginnings. Like Peter we need to be willing to always listen to the voice of Jesus calling us to follow him. In this way we won't miss our way. 
Almighty Jesus, who told us to ask anything in your name because it will be granted, guide us to be faithful to your call just as Peter was. Give us patience with our process of faith and discipleship so that one day we can love you as you loved us, until the end. 

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is patience important in our spiritual growth, and how does the life of St. Peter illustrate this?
  2. How can modern impatience with quick results affect our relationship with Jesus and our expectations of spiritual progress?
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