Gospel
John 21:1-14
Jesus revealed himself again 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.
It was the third time they saw him resurrected together.They had received the Homy Spirit, they had been commissioned to go tell others. They had also been given the power to forgive sins which is where confession and the penance comes from for the Catholic Church sacrament.
And now they have gone fishing. Which is odd in some ways for it can be taken to be they have not started their mission yet at all but “went fishing.”
And when they conversed with him at first they did not recognize him. Not until the bounty of fish was caught. Then they knew it was Jesus and Peter leapt into the water to get to him at once.
Peter displays a conviction for Jesus that can not be delayed or doubted. He now belongs to Jesus Christ more than ever. In our first reading from acts Peter and John are preaching and healing and in full “mission” mode.
And we see the start of that calling displayed in Peter today.
Where are we in our journey?
Am I ready to drop everything, even a bountiful blessing of fish? Even success at our job, and status among others… and houses and bank accounts and possessions… in order to go to Jesus without hesitation and without concern about anything but Jesus Christ?
Discipleship requires us to put nothing ahead of God. Not suffering. Not love for others. And not attachment to anything in this life. For everything is temporary at best and usually fleeting.
Possessions will be someone else’s where we die. Everything is subject to decay and will be taken away.
We are called to forget even ourselves if needed, to pursue being with Jesus Christ. Peter didn’t even let modesty or how he might look to others stop him from going to Jesus.
He only knew he had to be with Jesus Christ and that objective had to be met ahead of everything else.
What do I put ahead of Jesus today?
Do I insist on taking care of the “bounty of fish” which is blessings I have been given, even my life first?
Maybe for us the question is, do I place other activities ahead of going to Mass? Arranging to catch a vigil rather than Sunday because I have a game on Sunday or want to go fishing instead?
Maybe, it’s for the children.
We subject our worship schedule to whatever is available after the children’s soccer and sports events. Failing to put Jesus first and failing to teach our children what should be our priority in life.
Sometimes we do need to make adjustments. It’s not deprioritizing God but ensuring we are faithful to the requirement to get to Mass. Maybe Sunday is a travel day we cannot reschedule or we work on Sunday in the service business.
Each of us must ask the question what do I put ahead of Jesus Christ? It is between us and God just as Peter’s faithfulness and eagerness and priorities were between him and God.
What do I put first? What do I really worship?
Work
Careers
Family
Children
Recreation
Or Jesus Christ?
Peter shows us the model.
Let’s tuck in our garments and propel ourselves toward the one who loves us more than anyone can imagine. Let’s not hesitate to have Jesus Christ be with us everyday and all day.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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