Posted by The WORD in other words (2016) by Fr. Randy Flores, SVD – Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City
3rd Sunday of Easter – C
Once there was a young Fisherman who fell in love with a Mermaid. “Take me for thy bridegroom,” said the Fisherman But the Mermaid shook her. “You have a human soul,” she answered. “If only you would send away your soul, then I could love you.”
The Fisherman sent away his soul, married the Mermaid and lived with her at the bottom of the sea. However, the soul kept on persuading the Fisherman to take him back into himself. When finally the Fisherman gave in to the soul’s persuasion, it was too late. The soul which he sent out into the world had become evil (from “The Fisherman and His Soul” by Oscar Wilde).
The fishermen who turned into “fishers of men” when called by Jesus had sent their “soul” away to follow Jesus. They literally left everything behind–their parents, families, livelihood, way of life.
The Gospel reading today seems to show that these men have returned to their old “souls.” We hear them fishing in the Sea of Tiberias. After Jesus’ Resurrection, the disciples were not sure of this event. Doubt clouded their avowed faith in Jesus. Earlier, we read the story of the “doubting” Thomas. In any case, the Risen Jesus’ appearance to the disciples who now have returned to their old occupation as fishermen may give us some aral (lessons).
Notice that the secret of successful fishing is neither the “I” in Simon Peter’s announcement, “I am going fishing” nor the “we” in the disciples’ “We will also come with you” but the “Lord” in the Beloved Disciple’s “It is the Lord.” To be a neo-evangelizer entails, yes, human effort and initiative but ultimately the gift or charism from the Risen Lord.
In this Gospel story, it is the Risen Lord who tells when, where and how to fish; who prepares and blesses the meal. What is important is to realize that indeed “It is the Lord!” It is a good reminder that in our desire to share the Good News, the selfish “I” must not be at the forefront but like the “soul” in the above story, it must be sent away. Jesus once said in the same Gospel of John: “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24).
In the movie Son of God (2014), Jesus and Peter are alone. Jesus takes the initiative. He comes to Peter, insists that he rides on the boat and they go fishing. Peter complains: “There is no fish out here.” Jesus answers: “Peter, just give me an hour and I will give you a whole new life.” After the miraculous catch of fish, Jesus says: “Peter, come with me. Give up catching fish and I will make you the fisher of men.” Peter asks, “What are we gonna do?” Looking intently into Peter’s eyes, Jesus answers: “Change the world.”
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