＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 4: 1-12

 

Ps 118: 1-2 & 4, 22-24, 25-27a 

The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

 

 ＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

John 21: 1-14

 After this Jesus revealed him­­­­­self to the disciples by the Lake of Tiberias. He appeared to them in this way.   Simon Peter, Thomas who was called the Twin, Natha­nael of Cana in Gal­­i­lee, the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples were together;  and Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They replied, “We will come with you” and they went out and got into the boat. But that night they caught nothing.

When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the shore,  but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus called them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered, “Noth­ing.”  Then he said to them, “Throw the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they had lowered the net, they were not able to pull it in be­cause of the great number of fish.

 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” At these words, “It’s the Lord,” Simon Peter put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and jumped into the water.   The other disciples came in the boat dragging the net full of fish; they were not far from land, about a hun­dred meters.

When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.”  So Simon ­Peter climbed into the boat and pulled the net to shore. It was full of big fish – one hundred and fifty-three – but, in spite of this, the net was not torn.

 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast,” and not one of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” for they knew it was the Lord.   Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and he did the same with the fish.This was the third time that Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after rising from the dead.

 

Gospel Reflection：

There was one thing about Jesus’ relationship with his disciples that is truly fascinating, namely, his patience with them. Not once did he coerce them to believe, not once did he tell them to “hurry up” and work on ridding themselves of their doubts, their worries, their hesitations, and their fears.

He chided them for their lack of faith from time to time. But he was so infinitely patient with  them leading them gently from darkness to clarity, and from clarity to deeper understanding. It is the same patience that God shows to each one of us.

He will never force us to do something we do not like, nor will he insist that we rid ourselves of our weaknesses as soon as possible. Instead, he waits patiently, allowing us to grow and mature at our own pace, like a loving Father, inviting his children towards goodness, yet allowing them to approach it.