GOSPEL REFLECTION, FRIDAY, 7TH WEEK OF EASTER, 22 MAY 2026

John 21:15-19.  Preceding today’s gospel reading, we hear of Jesus’ final resurrection appearance to his disciples.  They were together in a boat (St Augustine says this always signifies the assembled Church), fishing (this is the only time John refers to them as fishermen), having caught nothing all night.  Jesus appeared to them on the shore, although they were unsure they recognised him at first, as often happened in his resurrection appearances.  John (the disciple Jesus loved) whispered, “it is the Lord!”  at that, impulsive Peter leapt into the water and ran to the shore.  There Jesus said, ‘you have not caught much, have you?), another meaning of the Greek words.  Then he said to cast the net on the other side, and they will catch many fish.  The did so, and the net was nearly bursting, a sign of the fullness.  Again impulsive Peter dragged the net ashore.  As the disciples followed, they met Jesus on the shore, cooking bread and fish on a small fire (reminding us of the bread and fish that fed the five thousand).  They ate breakfast together on the shore (Jesus always feeds and cares for his followers).  After breakfast, a very intimate conversation takes place between Jesus and Peter.  Jesus asks Peter three times “do you love me?”  Peter declares his love for Jesus (repenting for the three times he had denied Jesus at the crucifixion).   Each time, Jesus tells him, ‘feed and care for my sheep,’  giving him an important mission.  Denying Jesus was  a very serious sin on Peter’s part, but Jesus gave him and opportunity to repent, for he is gracious and merciful.  As Catholics, we recognise Peter, the great one, as our first pope because of the mission Jesus gave him, a mission that had been developing for some time but was now affirmed for certain.  Jesus indicated that Peter’s mission would not be easy; in fact, he foretold the death that Peter would suffer.  We do not, each of us, have a mission identical to Peter’s, but each of us can guard another disciple of going astray, and each of us can feed another of Christ’s flock with the Word of God.