SECRET IN CATCHING FISH - 3rd Sunday of Easter (Cycle C)

Homily for the 3^rd Sunday of the Year (Cycle C)

Based on Jn 21:1-14(Gospel), Ac 5:27-32,40b-41 (First Reading) and Rv 5:11-14 (Second Reading)

From the Series: “Reflections and Teachings of the Desert”

SECRET IN CATCHING FISH

“Throw the net out to the starboard and you will find something.” (Jn 21:6).

Our gospel narrative for today is taken from Jn 21: 1-14. It is actually an APPENDIX^a with a title “Appearance on the shore of Tiberias”. Footnote ^a says “Added either by the evangelist or by one of his disciples.”

Its parallel texts are:

1.       Mt 26:32p -…but after my resurrection, I shall go before you to Galilee (v. 32).”At this Peter said, “Though all lose faith in you I will never lose faith (v. 33).” Jesus answered him, “I tell you solemnly, this very night before the cock crows, you will have disowned me three times (v. 34).” Peter said to him, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the disciples said the same (v.35).

2.       Mt 28:7...then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and now he is going before you to Galilee; it is there you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Verse 1 says: Later on, Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this.

Parallel texts are:

1.       Jn 11:16 - Then Thomas-known as the Twin- said to the other disciples, “Let us go too, and die with him.”

2.       Jn 14:5 - Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Verse 2 says: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two more of his disciples were together.

Parallel text is Jn 2:1 that says: Three days later^a there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there.^b Footnote ^a says “i.e. three days after the meeting with Phillip and Nathanael. The opening events of the gospel, therefore, are contained within one week of which almost every day is noticed; it culminates in the manifestation of Christ’s glory”; and Footnote ^b says “Mary is present when Jesus first manifests his glory; she is there again at the cross, 19:25-27. The two descriptions have several details in common, evidently of set purpose”.

Verse 3 says: Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” They said to him, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night…

Parallel texts are:

1.       Mt 4:18 - As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen.

2.       Lk 5:4-10 - When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch (v. 4)’‘Master,’ Simon replied ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so I will pay out the nets (v.5).”And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear (v.6),so they signaled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point (v.7). When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, “Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man (v.8)”. For  he and all his companions were completely over come by the catch they made(v. 9); so also were James and John,  sons of Zebedee, who were  of Simon’s partners.^c But Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on  it is men you will catch (v.10).”Footnote ^c says “The ‘companions’ of v. 7, Andrew is not mentioned because he is in Simon’s boat (not the plural pronouns in vv. 5:6,7) which is the central piece in Luke’s picture.” 

Verse 4 says: It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus

Parallel text is Lk 24:16+,41 that says: but something prevented them from recognizing him^d (v. 16). Theirjoy wasso great that they could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” (v. 41). Footnote ^d-  In the apparitions described by Lk and Jn, the disciples do not at first recognize the Lord: they need a word or a sign, Lk. 24:30f,35,37,39-43; Jn 20:14 and 16,20; 21:4 and 6-7; cf. Mt. 28:17. This is because the risen body, though the same body that died on the cross, is in a new condition; its outward appearance is therefore changed, Mk. 16:12, and it is exempt from the usual physical laws, Jn 20:19. On the condition of glorified bodies, cf. 1 Co. 15:44+.

Verses 5, 6 and 7 say:  Jesus called out, “Have you caught anything, friends?” And when they answered, “No” he said, “Throw the net out to the starboard and you will find something.” So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish^b that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord’. At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water.

Footnote ^b says“This generosity recalls Cana, 2:6, the loaves miracle, 6:11f, the living water, 4:14, 7:37f, the life which the good shepherd gives, 10:10, and the richness of the Spirit bestowed on Jesus, 3:34.”

Parallel texts of verse 7 say:

1.       Jn 13:23 - The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus.

2.       Jn 20:8 - Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in;  he saw and he believed.

Verse 8, 9, 10 and 11 say: The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land. As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught’. Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore,^c full of big fish… Footnote ^c says “In the Synoptics, this operation is an image of the kingdom’s coming. Mt 13:47f, or of the apostles’ task, Mt. 4:19p. Here, too, it evidently symbolizes the apostolic mission under Peter’s direction. Cf. Jn 21:15-17.”

Parallel text of verse 9 is says :

Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; and he said to them, ‘Have you anything to eat? (v. 41)’And they offered him a piece of grilled fish (v. 42),which he took and ate before their eyes (v. 43).

Verse 12 says: Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast’. None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord.

Parallel text is Jn 4:27 that says: At this point his disciples returned, and were surprised to find him speaking to a woman, though none of them asked, “What do you want from her?” or “Why are you talking to her?”

Verse 13 says: Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish.

Parallel texts are:

1.       Jn 6:11 - Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.

2.       Jn 6:11 - They gave him a piece of baked fish

Verse 14 says: This is the third time that the Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

Parallel texts are:

1.       Jn 20:19-23 - In the evening of the same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were,ⁱ  for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them. ‘Peace be with you’ (v. 19),And showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord (v. 20),And he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (v. 21).After saying this he breathed^j on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit (v. 22). For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained (v. 23)’Footnote ⁱsays “Add. ‘assembled’”; Footnote ^j says “The breath of Jesus is the symbol of the Spirit (‘breath’, in Hebrew); he send forth the Spirit who will make all things new, Gen. 1:2; 2:7; Ezk. 37:9; Ws 15:11; See Jn 19:30+ and Mt. 3:16+”;

2.       Jn 20:26-29 - Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’, he said (v. 26) .Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side.^l Doubt no longer but believe (v. 27).’Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God! (v. 28).’Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe’^m (v. 29). Footnote ^l says “In the closing words of his gospel, John again calls the Christian reader’s attention to the wound in Christ’s side, cf. 19:34+”; and Footnote  ^msays “On the apostles’ witness, cf. Ac 1:8+”.

The First Reading for this Sunday is taken from Ac 5:27-32,40b-41. Verses 27 and 28 say: When they had brought them in to face the Sanhedrin, the high priest demanded an explanation, “We gave you a formal warning’ he said ‘ not to preach in this name.ⁱ You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on us.” Footnote ⁱ  says “Western text ‘Did we not forbid you to preach I that name? and no…’ Then Peter answered, ‘Which must we obey, God or man? ‘God’ he said. And Peter then replied, ‘The God of our ancestors..’”

Parallel text of verse 28 are:

1.       Ac 4:18 - So they called them in and ordered them a warning^f on no account to make statement or to teach in the name of Jesus. Footnote ^f says “Other translate ‘so long as each of you turns from your wicked ways.’”

2.       Mt 27:25 - And the people, to a man, shouted back, “His blood be on us and on our children^k Footnote^k says “Traditional OT phrase, 2 S 1:16; 3:29, cf. Ac 18:6, by which they accept responsibility for the death they demand.”

Verse 29 says: In reply Peter and the apostles said, ‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men;

Parallel texts are:

1.       Ac 2:14 - Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,^h and addressed them in a loud voice: “Men of Judaea, and all who live in Jerusalem, make no mistake about this  but listen carefully to what I say…Footnote ^h says “Peter speaks as head of the apostolic body and occupies a leading position, cf. 1:15; 2:17;3:4,6,12; 4:8,13; 5:3,8,9,15,29; cf. 10-11. See Mt 16:19+.”

2.       Ac 4:19 - But Peter and John retorted, “You must judge whether in God’ssight it is right for us to listen to you and not God”.

3.       Ac 2:23 - This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention^o and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law.^p You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades…^q Footnote ^o says “The OT prophecies demonstrate this divine plan: Ac 3:18; 4:28; 13:29; cf. 8:32-35; 9:22; 10:43; 17:2-3; 18:5,28; 26:22-23,27; 28:23; Lk 18:31+; 22:22; 24:25-27,44; Footnote ^p says “In this case, the Romans. The primitive kerygma accused the Jews is the same way, and confronted them with that act of God whish raised up Jesus, 2:32,36; 3:13-17; 4:10; 5:30-31; 7:52; 10:39-40; 13:27-30; 17:31; Mt. 16:18+”; and Footnote^q says ‘of Hades’ Western Text; ‘of death’ Text. Rec. Cf vv. 27 and 31. ‘Hades’ in LXX is sheol, Nb 16:33+; Mt 16:18+.

Verse 30 says: it was the God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging him on a tree^j. Footnote^j says “The phrase is repeated in 10:39 (cf. 13:29). It recalls Dt. 21:23, quoted in Ga 3:13, cf. 1 P 2:24.”

Parallel text is Ps 118:16 that says: Yahweh’s right hand is winning, Yahweh’s right hand is wreaking havoc.”

Verse 31 says: By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and savior,^k to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. Footnote^k says “The title matches ‘Prince of Life’, s:15+: it also corresponds to ‘Prince and Redeemer’ applied to Moses as a prefiguring of Christ, 7:35 (cf. 7:25). See also Heb 2:10; 12:2. There is an implicit comparison of Jesus with Moses.”

Parallel texts are:

1.       Ac 2:33+,38+ - Now raised to the heights by God’s right hand,^s he has received from the father the Holy Spirit, who was promised,^t and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit (v. 33).You must repent,^w Peter answered ‘and everyone of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ^x for the forgiveness  of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (v. 38). Footnote^s says “Words borrowed from Ps. 118 (v.16 LXX ‘The right hand of the Lord has raised me up’) used in their preaching by the apostles who took it to be messianic: Ac 4:11, 1 P 2:7, Mt 21:9p,42p, 23:39, Lk 13:35, Jn 12:13, Heb 13:6. But it is possible to translate. ‘ Having raised up to the right hand of God’ and to se in this an introduction to the quotation (v.34) of Ps. 110); which is another name of Apostolic preaching: Mt. 22:44p,26:64p, Mk 16:19, Ac 7:55,56, Rm 8:34, 1Co. 15:25, Ep. 1:20 Col. 3:1, Heb. 1:3,13, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2, 1 P.3:22.; andFootnote ^tsays “According to the prophets, the gif of the Spirit would characterize  the messianic era, Ex. 36:27+. Peter explains the miracle his bearers have witnessed as the ‘pouring out’ of this spirit, foretold in Jl 3:1-2 by the risen Christ”.; Footnote ^wsays “Each of the great apostolic discourses closes with a call for repentance”; Footnote ^x says “Baptism is administered ‘in the name of Jesus Christ’ (cf.1.5+) and the recipient ‘invokes the name of the Lord Jesus’ (cf. 2:21+; 3:16+): 8:16;10:48;19:5;22:16; 1Co 1:13,15; 6:11; 10:2; Ga 3:27; Rm 6:3;cf. Jm2:7. Such expressions are not necessarily the actual liturgical formulae of baptism, cf. Mt 28:19, they may simply indicate its significance, namely, that the baptized profess their faith in Christ, and Christ adopts those who thenceforth are dedicated to him.”

2.       Ac 4:12 - For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.^e Footnote^e says “‘Jesus’ means ‘God saves’, Mt. 1:21.”

Verse 32 says: We are witnesses to this, we and the holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’

Parallel texts are:

1.       Ac 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,ⁱ and then you will be my witnesses^j not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth’.^k Footnoteⁱ says “The Holy Spirit is a favorite theme of Luke (Lk 4:1+); he talks mostly about the Holy Spirit as a Power, Lk 1:35; 24:49;Ac 1:8;10:38; Rm 15:13,19; 1 Co 2:4,5; 1 Th 1:5; Heb 2:4, sent  from God by Christ, Ac 2:38, to broadcast the Good News. 1. The Spirit gives the charismata, 1 Co 12:4f, that guarantee the message; the gift of tongues, Ac 2:4+, of miracles, 10:38, of prophecy, 11:27+; 20:23; 21:11, of wisdom, 6:3,5,10:2, the Spirit fives strength to proclaim Jesus as Messiah in spite of persecution 4:8,31; 5:32; 6:10;cf. Ph 1;19 and to bear witness to him, Mt. 10;20p; Jn 15:26; Ac 1:8; 2 Tm 1:7f,cf. following note; 3. The Spirit guides the Church in her major decisions: the  admission of pagans, Ac 8:29,40; 10:19,44-47; 11;12-16; 15:8, without obligation to observe the  Law, 15:28; Paul’s mission to the pagan worlds, 13:2f; 16:6-7; 19:1 (Western Text) cf. Mt. 3:16+,Ac also mentions the Spirit  as received in baptism and forgiving sins, 2:38, cf. Rm 5:5+.; Footnote^j says “The primary functions of the apostles is to bear witness: not only to Christ’s resurrection, Lk. 24:48, Ac 2:32, 3:15, 4:33, 3:32, 24:48,13;31, 22:15, but also to the whole of is public life, Lk 1:21, Jn 15:27, Ac. 1:22, 10:39f.; and Footnote^k says “nothing can limit the apostolic mission.”

2.       Jn 15:27 - And you will be my witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset.

3.       Ac 15:28 -‘It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you with any burden beyond these essentials.

4.       Jn 7:39 - He was speaking of the Spirit which those who believe in him were to receive; for there was no Spirit as yet,^s because Jesus had not yet been glorified. Footnote^s says “Var. ‘the spirit has not yet been given’.”

Verse 40b says: and they had the apostles called in, gave orders for them  to be flogged, warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.

Parallel texts are:

1.       Ac 22:19 - Lord, I answered, it is because they know that I go from synagogue to synagogue, imprisoning and flogging those who believed in you.

2.       Mt 10:17 - Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues,

Verse 41 says: And so they left the presence of the Sanhedrin  glad to have had the honor of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name.^p Footnote ^p says “The name for whose sake the apostle suffer, cf. 21:13; 1 P 4:14; 3 Jn 7, the name they preach, 4:10,12,17,18; 5:28,40; cf. 3:6,16; 8:12,16; 9:15,16,27,28, and which the Christians invoke, 2:21, 4:12, 9:14;21; 22:16, is the name, I.e. the person of Jesus, 3:16+, the name he received at his resurrection, 2:36+, ‘the name above all other names’. This name was ‘Lord’, hitherto reserved to God, Ph 2:9-11+”.

Parallel texts are:

1.       Ac 4:18 - So they called them in and ordered them a warning^f on no account to make statement or to teach in the name of Jesus. Footnote ^f says“ Other translate ‘so long as each of you turns from your wicked ways.’

2.       Mt 5:10-11 - Happy are those who are persecuted in the cause of right, theirs is the kingdom of heaven (v. 10). Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account (v. 11).

The Second Reading is taken from Rv 5:11-14. Verse 11 says: In my vision, I heard the sound of an immense number of angels gathered round the throne and the animals and the elders; there were ten thousand times ten thousand of them and thousands upon thousands…

Parallel texts are:

1.       Dn 7:10 - A stream of fire poured out, issuing from his presence. A thousand  thousand waited on him, ten thousand time ten thousand stood before him. A court was held, and the books were opened.ⁱ  Footnoteⁱ says “The book, in which men’s actions, good and bad, are recorded. Cf. Jr. 17:1; Ml 3:16; Ps 56:8; Lk 10: 20; Rv 20:12+. The image is later used in the Dies Irae. On the Book of Life, cf. 12:1+”.

2.       Jude 14-15 - It was with them in mind that Enoch, of the seventh generation from Adam, made his prophesy when he said, “I tell you, the Lord will come with his saints in tens of thousands (v. 14), to pronounce judgment on all mankind and to sentence the wicked for the wicked things they had done, and for all the defiant things said against him by irreligious sinners”^p (v. 15).Footnote ^p says “Enoch 1:9, probably quoted from memory.”

Verse 12 says: Shouting, “The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given power, riches,ⁱ wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing.”Footnoteⁱ says “Vulg. ‘divinity’”

Parallel texts are:

1.       Dn 2:20 - This is what Daniel said: “May the name of God be blessed forever and ever, since wisdom and power are his alone.

2.       Ph 2:7-9 - but emptied himself^g to assume the condition of a slave,^h and became as men areⁱ; and being as all men are,^j(v. 7), he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross (v. 8).But God raised^k him high and gave him the name which is above all other names^l (v. 9). Footnote ^g says ‘He emptied himself’; this is not so much a reference to the fact of the incarnation, as to the way it took place. What Jesus freely gave up was not his divine nature, but the glory to which his divine nature entitled him, and which had been his before the incarnation, Jn 17:5, and, which ‘normally’ speaking would have been observable in his human body (cf. the transfiguration, Mt 17:1-8). He voluntarily deprived himself of this so that it could be returned to him by the Father, cf. Jn 8:50,54, after his sacrifice, vv.9-11”; Footnote  ^h says ‘slave’ as opposed to ‘Kyrios’ v. 11, cf. Ga 4:1; Col 3:22f. Christ as man led a life of submission and humble obedience, v. 8. This is probably a reference to the ‘servant’ of Is 52:13-53:12, cf. Is 42:1; Footnote ⁱ says “Not just ‘a human being’ but a human being ‘like others’; sharing all the weaknesses of the human condition apart from sin”; Footnote ^j says  “Lit. ‘And in fashion found as man’; Footnote ^k- Lit ‘super-raised him’; by the resurrection and ascension”; and Footnote ^l says “Named him ‘Lord’, v. 11; or, at a deeper level, gave him an ineffable and divine name which, through the triumph of the risen Christ, can now be expressed by the title Kyrios, Lord, cf. Ac 2:21; 3:16+.”

Verse 13 and 14 say:  Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.” The four living creatures answered, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Parallel text of verse 13 are:

1.       Rv 5:3 - But there was no one, in heaven or on earth or under the earth,^b was able to open the scroll or to examine it. Footnote ^b says “In Hades, 1:18+”.

2.       Ps 150:6 - Let everything that breath give praise to Yahweh! Hallelujah!

3.       Jude 25 - To God, the only God, our savior, who saves us through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, authority and power, which he had before time began, now, and forever. Amen.

According to the narrative in Jn. 21:4-8, Jesus Christ was standing on the shore early dawn, called on his disciples who were on a boat and asked “My friend, have you caught anything?”(Jn 21:4-5). The disciples answered, “Nothing”. They did not know that it was Jesus Christ who called and they did not recognize his voice.

Then Jesus said to them, “Lower down your net on the right side of the boat and you will catch something.”

They did this and they caught many fish, so that they had difficulty in hauling the net and the other disciples on the other boats had to ride Peter’s boat to haul in the catch and bring it to shore. The distance of the boat to the shore was about a hundred yards (Cf. Jn 21: 6-8).

This story in Jn 21:4-8, if connected with Peter’s complaint stated in Lk 5:5 that says “We have labored all night but caught nothing”, we can find only one lesson or doctrine. This one lesson or doctrine that the gospels would like to teach is the new style, or Jesus’ secret, of catching fish which he wanted to teach his apostles.

Why did the disciples said in Jn 21:6 that they “caught nothing”  and in Lk 5:5 Peter himself said “We have labored all night but caught nothing?” Why was it that even they worked all night, still they did not catch anything?

If we are going to understand Jesus Christ’s instruction to his disciples who were on the boat at the lake to “drop the net on the right side of the boat (Jn 21:6), the meaning of this is that the reason why they were not able to catch any fish is because they were dropping their net on the left side of the boat which is the wrong side. That is why, they have to change their style or way of dropping their net according to Jesus’ way. Then, they were this able to catch a lot of fishes even if they were just a hundred yards away, and that they need not go very far off from the shore. 

This incident has a great application in their future work as ‘fishers of men”, no longer literal fishes, which they will do as Jesus Christ’s disciples, or as christians. In the work of the apostles, and us as modern apostles of Christ, in convincing people to attend the catechesis of evangelization or sacramentalization, we often complain that we are able to convince less and less people to attend our catechesis because of so many hindrances on our part or on the part of the people even if we say that we have been announcing or inviting people for so many days already.

Who indeed is at fault if we cannot convince people to attend? Is it the people or us?

If we base the explanation concerning this problem to the explanation on this incident of Jn 21:4-8 and Lk 5:5, the real source of the problem indeed, according to Jesus Christ, is our style or our way of convincing people, which in the gospel is being called as a wrong way or style of dropping the net to catch fish.

According to this story in Jn 21:4-8, the disciples dropped their nets on the left side of the boat, that is why they were not able to catch fish even they have “worked all night” (Lk 5:5). What was said here as “left side”, have a deeper meaning.

The meaning of putting down their net ‘on the left side’ is that the disciples were working with weakness, because being on the “left” means “weak”. Hence, if there is a left-handed person  who uses his left hand to work, the result is a poor kind of workmanship. That is why, in the Bible, “left” symbolizes a position or situation that is weak, with no strength, and has poor effect.   In Christian iconography, Satan is being depicted on the left side of God or of man (Cf. Jb. 1-6, Mt. 25:33, 41), in the same way that angels are being placed on the right side. Hence, if we use the left hand to undertake work, it means that the result is poor, weak, or has no force.

If we return to the problem we mentioned above regarding the difficulties we meet in convincing people to attend catechesis or evangelization, we will understand  that the problem lies with the apostles or missionaries who are not forceful enough in their work of convincing, but what prevails is their weakness. The apostle or missionary is the one who puts many weaknesses or obstacles in his work of convincing, that is why the result is poor or that no one attend. If the apostle is poor at explaining or discussing, hence he cannot catch people’s attention to listen to his teachings and then he could not have any one to enters the church. If there is a poor catch of ‘fish’, or that even if there was a catch but later these fishes were able to escape, this means that the apostle or missionary worked with so many weaknesses on his part. This poor result of his work is symbolized by “dropping the net on the left-side part of the boat”. 

The proof that there is truth in this teaching can be taken from the gospel that says “We worked all night, but caught nothing; but on your word, we will put down the net again” (Lk. 5:5). Simon Peter said that  “but on your word, we will put down the net again”, which is this word of Jesus? Jesus was “put your net on the starboard, or right-side of the boat, (Jn. 21:6).

When the disciples followed these words of Jesus Christ, their net was able to catch many big fishes that they needed not to go far off but only for a hundred yards from the shore.

The meaning of these words is that, if the apostles or missionaries, would only follow the instruction of Jesus Christ to work by using their whole strength, force, industriousness and ability, they will be able to convince many people and bring to God not only the small but big sinners as well. And that, they do not have to go off to very far places, even for a few yards only they will have already convinced many people to attend their preaching.

Homily for the 3^rd Sunday of Easter (Cycle C)

Based on Jn 21:1-14(Gospel), Ac 5:27-32,40b-41 (First Reading) and Rv 5:11-14 (Second Reading)

From the Series: “Reflections and Teachings of the Desert”

SECRET IN CATCHING FISH

“Throw the net out to the starboard and you will find something.” (Jn 21:6).

Our gospel narrative for today is taken from Jn 21: 1-14. It is actually an APPENDIX^a with a title “Appearance on the shore of Tiberias”. Footnote ^a says “Added either by the evangelist or by one of his disciples.”

Its parallel texts are:

1.       Mt 26:32p -…but after my resurrection, I shall go before you to Galilee (v. 32).”At this Peter said, “Though all lose faith in you I will never lose faith (v. 33).” Jesus answered him, “I tell you solemnly, this very night before the cock crows, you will have disowned me three times (v. 34).” Peter said to him, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the disciples said the same (v.35).

2.       Mt 28:7...then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and now he is going before you to Galilee; it is there you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Verse 1 says: Later on, Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this.

Parallel texts are:

1.       Jn 11:16 - Then Thomas-known as the Twin- said to the other disciples, “Let us go too, and die with him.”

2.       Jn 14:5 - Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Verse 2 says: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two more of his disciples were together.

Parallel text is Jn 2:1 that says: Three days later^a there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there.^b Footnote ^a says “i.e. three days after the meeting with Phillip and Nathanael. The opening events of the gospel, therefore, are contained within one week of which almost every day is noticed; it culminates in the manifestation of Christ’s glory”; and Footnote ^b says “Mary is present when Jesus first manifests his glory; she is there again at the cross, 19:25-27. The two descriptions have several details in common, evidently of set purpose”.

Verse 3 says: Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” They said to him, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night…

Parallel texts are:

1.       Mt 4:18 - As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen.

2.       Lk 5:4-10 - When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch (v. 4)’‘Master,’ Simon replied ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so I will pay out the nets (v.5).”And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear (v.6),so they signaled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point (v.7). When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, “Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man (v.8)”. For  he and all his companions were completely over come by the catch they made(v. 9); so also were James and John,  sons of Zebedee, who were  of Simon’s partners.^c But Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on  it is men you will catch (v.10).”Footnote ^c says “The ‘companions’ of v. 7, Andrew is not mentioned because he is in Simon’s boat (not the plural pronouns in vv. 5:6,7) which is the central piece in Luke’s picture.” 

Verse 4 says: It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus

Parallel text is Lk 24:16+,41 that says: but something prevented them from recognizing him^d (v. 16). Theirjoy wasso great that they could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” (v. 41). Footnote ^d-  In the apparitions described by Lk and Jn, the disciples do not at first recognize the Lord: they need a word or a sign, Lk. 24:30f,35,37,39-43; Jn 20:14 and 16,20; 21:4 and 6-7; cf. Mt. 28:17. This is because the risen body, though the same body that died on the cross, is in a new condition; its outward appearance is therefore changed, Mk. 16:12, and it is exempt from the usual physical laws, Jn 20:19. On the condition of glorified bodies, cf. 1 Co. 15:44+.

Verses 5, 6 and 7 say:  Jesus called out, “Have you caught anything, friends?” And when they answered, “No” he said, “Throw the net out to the starboard and you will find something.” So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish^b that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord’. At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water.

Footnote ^b says“This generosity recalls Cana, 2:6, the loaves miracle, 6:11f, the living water, 4:14, 7:37f, the life which the good shepherd gives, 10:10, and the richness of the Spirit bestowed on Jesus, 3:34.”

Parallel texts of verse 7 say:

1.       Jn 13:23 - The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus.

2.       Jn 20:8 - Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in;  he saw and he believed.

Verse 8, 9, 10 and 11 say: The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land. As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught’. Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore,^c full of big fish… Footnote ^c says “In the Synoptics, this operation is an image of the kingdom’s coming. Mt 13:47f, or of the apostles’ task, Mt. 4:19p. Here, too, it evidently symbolizes the apostolic mission under Peter’s direction. Cf. Jn 21:15-17.”

Parallel text of verse 9 is says :

Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; and he said to them, ‘Have you anything to eat? (v. 41)’And they offered him a piece of grilled fish (v. 42),which he took and ate before their eyes (v. 43).

Verse 12 says: Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast’. None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord.

Parallel text is Jn 4:27 that says: At this point his disciples returned, and were surprised to find him speaking to a woman, though none of them asked, “What do you want from her?” or “Why are you talking to her?”

Verse 13 says: Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish.

Parallel texts are:

1.       Jn 6:11 - Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.

2.       Jn 6:11 - They gave him a piece of baked fish

Verse 14 says: This is the third time that the Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

Parallel texts are:

1.       Jn 20:19-23 - In the evening of the same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were,ⁱ  for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them. ‘Peace be with you’ (v. 19),And showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord (v. 20),And he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (v. 21).After saying this he breathed^j on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit (v. 22). For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained (v. 23)’Footnote ⁱsays “Add. ‘assembled’”; Footnote ^j says “The breath of Jesus is the symbol of the Spirit (‘breath’, in Hebrew); he send forth the Spirit who will make all things new, Gen. 1:2; 2:7; Ezk. 37:9; Ws 15:11; See Jn 19:30+ and Mt. 3:16+”;

2.       Jn 20:26-29 - Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’, he said (v. 26) .Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side.^l Doubt no longer but believe (v. 27).’Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God! (v. 28).’Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe’^m (v. 29). Footnote ^l says “In the closing words of his gospel, John again calls the Christian reader’s attention to the wound in Christ’s side, cf. 19:34+”; and Footnote  ^msays “On the apostles’ witness, cf. Ac 1:8+”.

The First Reading for this Sunday is taken from Ac 5:27-32,40b-41. Verses 27 and 28 say: When they had brought them in to face the Sanhedrin, the high priest demanded an explanation, “We gave you a formal warning’ he said ‘ not to preach in this name.ⁱ You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on us.” Footnote ⁱ  says “Western text ‘Did we not forbid you to preach I that name? and no…’ Then Peter answered, ‘Which must we obey, God or man? ‘God’ he said. And Peter then replied, ‘The God of our ancestors..’”

Parallel text of verse 28 are:

1.       Ac 4:18 - So they called them in and ordered them a warning^f on no account to make statement or to teach in the name of Jesus. Footnote ^f says “Other translate ‘so long as each of you turns from your wicked ways.’”

2.       Mt 27:25 - And the people, to a man, shouted back, “His blood be on us and on our children^k Footnote^k says “Traditional OT phrase, 2 S 1:16; 3:29, cf. Ac 18:6, by which they accept responsibility for the death they demand.”

Verse 29 says: In reply Peter and the apostles said, ‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men;

Parallel texts are:

1.       Ac 2:14 - Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,^h and addressed them in a loud voice: “Men of Judaea, and all who live in Jerusalem, make no mistake about this  but listen carefully to what I say…Footnote ^h says “Peter speaks as head of the apostolic body and occupies a leading position, cf. 1:15; 2:17;3:4,6,12; 4:8,13; 5:3,8,9,15,29; cf. 10-11. See Mt 16:19+.”

2.       Ac 4:19 - But Peter and John retorted, “You must judge whether in God’ssight it is right for us to listen to you and not God”.

3.       Ac 2:23 - This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention^o and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law.^p You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades…^q Footnote ^o says “The OT prophecies demonstrate this divine plan: Ac 3:18; 4:28; 13:29; cf. 8:32-35; 9:22; 10:43; 17:2-3; 18:5,28; 26:22-23,27; 28:23; Lk 18:31+; 22:22; 24:25-27,44; Footnote ^p says “In this case, the Romans. The primitive kerygma accused the Jews is the same way, and confronted them with that act of God whish raised up Jesus, 2:32,36; 3:13-17; 4:10; 5:30-31; 7:52; 10:39-40; 13:27-30; 17:31; Mt. 16:18+”; and Footnote^q says ‘of Hades’ Western Text; ‘of death’ Text. Rec. Cf vv. 27 and 31. ‘Hades’ in LXX is sheol, Nb 16:33+; Mt 16:18+.

Verse 30 says: it was the God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging him on a tree^j. Footnote^j says “The phrase is repeated in 10:39 (cf. 13:29). It recalls Dt. 21:23, quoted in Ga 3:13, cf. 1 P 2:24.”

Parallel text is Ps 118:16 that says: Yahweh’s right hand is winning, Yahweh’s right hand is wreaking havoc.”

Verse 31 says: By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and savior,^k to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. Footnote^k says “The title matches ‘Prince of Life’, s:15+: it also corresponds to ‘Prince and Redeemer’ applied to Moses as a prefiguring of Christ, 7:35 (cf. 7:25). See also Heb 2:10; 12:2. There is an implicit comparison of Jesus with Moses.”

Parallel texts are:

1.       Ac 2:33+,38+ - Now raised to the heights by God’s right hand,^s he has received from the father the Holy Spirit, who was promised,^t and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit (v. 33).You must repent,^w Peter answered ‘and everyone of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ^x for the forgiveness  of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (v. 38). Footnote^s says “Words borrowed from Ps. 118 (v.16 LXX ‘The right hand of the Lord has raised me up’) used in their preaching by the apostles who took it to be messianic: Ac 4:11, 1 P 2:7, Mt 21:9p,42p, 23:39, Lk 13:35, Jn 12:13, Heb 13:6. But it is possible to translate. ‘ Having raised up to the right hand of God’ and to se in this an introduction to the quotation (v.34) of Ps. 110); which is another name of Apostolic preaching: Mt. 22:44p,26:64p, Mk 16:19, Ac 7:55,56, Rm 8:34, 1Co. 15:25, Ep. 1:20 Col. 3:1, Heb. 1:3,13, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2, 1 P.3:22.; andFootnote ^tsays “According to the prophets, the gif of the Spirit would characterize  the messianic era, Ex. 36:27+. Peter explains the miracle his bearers have witnessed as the ‘pouring out’ of this spirit, foretold in Jl 3:1-2 by the risen Christ”.; Footnote ^wsays “Each of the great apostolic discourses closes with a call for repentance”; Footnote ^x says “Baptism is administered ‘in the name of Jesus Christ’ (cf.1.5+) and the recipient ‘invokes the name of the Lord Jesus’ (cf. 2:21+; 3:16+): 8:16;10:48;19:5;22:16; 1Co 1:13,15; 6:11; 10:2; Ga 3:27; Rm 6:3;cf. Jm2:7. Such expressions are not necessarily the actual liturgical formulae of baptism, cf. Mt 28:19, they may simply indicate its significance, namely, that the baptized profess their faith in Christ, and Christ adopts those who thenceforth are dedicated to him.”

2.       Ac 4:12 - For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.^e Footnote^e says “‘Jesus’ means ‘God saves’, Mt. 1:21.”

Verse 32 says: We are witnesses to this, we and the holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’

Parallel texts are:

1.       Ac 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,ⁱ and then you will be my witnesses^j not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth’.^k Footnoteⁱ says “The Holy Spirit is a favorite theme of Luke (Lk 4:1+); he talks mostly about the Holy Spirit as a Power, Lk 1:35; 24:49;Ac 1:8;10:38; Rm 15:13,19; 1 Co 2:4,5; 1 Th 1:5; Heb 2:4, sent  from God by Christ, Ac 2:38, to broadcast the Good News. 1. The Spirit gives the charismata, 1 Co 12:4f, that guarantee the message; the gift of tongues, Ac 2:4+, of miracles, 10:38, of prophecy, 11:27+; 20:23; 21:11, of wisdom, 6:3,5,10:2, the Spirit fives strength to proclaim Jesus as Messiah in spite of persecution 4:8,31; 5:32; 6:10;cf. Ph 1;19 and to bear witness to him, Mt. 10;20p; Jn 15:26; Ac 1:8; 2 Tm 1:7f,cf. following note; 3. The Spirit guides the Church in her major decisions: the  admission of pagans, Ac 8:29,40; 10:19,44-47; 11;12-16; 15:8, without obligation to observe the  Law, 15:28; Paul’s mission to the pagan worlds, 13:2f; 16:6-7; 19:1 (Western Text) cf. Mt. 3:16+,Ac also mentions the Spirit  as received in baptism and forgiving sins, 2:38, cf. Rm 5:5+.; Footnote^j says “The primary functions of the apostles is to bear witness: not only to Christ’s resurrection, Lk. 24:48, Ac 2:32, 3:15, 4:33, 3:32, 24:48,13;31, 22:15, but also to the whole of is public life, Lk 1:21, Jn 15:27, Ac. 1:22, 10:39f.; and Footnote^k says “nothing can limit the apostolic mission.”

2.       Jn 15:27 - And you will be my witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset.

3.       Ac 15:28 -‘It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you with any burden beyond these essentials.

4.       Jn 7:39 - He was speaking of the Spirit which those who believe in him were to receive; for there was no Spirit as yet,^s because Jesus had not yet been glorified. Footnote^s says “Var. ‘the spirit has not yet been given’.”

Verse 40b says: and they had the apostles called in, gave orders for them  to be flogged, warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.

Parallel texts are:

1.       Ac 22:19 - Lord, I answered, it is because they know that I go from synagogue to synagogue, imprisoning and flogging those who believed in you.

2.       Mt 10:17 - Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues,

Verse 41 says: And so they left the presence of the Sanhedrin  glad to have had the honor of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name.^p Footnote ^p says “The name for whose sake the apostle suffer, cf. 21:13; 1 P 4:14; 3 Jn 7, the name they preach, 4:10,12,17,18; 5:28,40; cf. 3:6,16; 8:12,16; 9:15,16,27,28, and which the Christians invoke, 2:21, 4:12, 9:14;21; 22:16, is the name, I.e. the person of Jesus, 3:16+, the name he received at his resurrection, 2:36+, ‘the name above all other names’. This name was ‘Lord’, hitherto reserved to God, Ph 2:9-11+”.

Parallel texts are:

1.       Ac 4:18 - So they called them in and ordered them a warning^f on no account to make statement or to teach in the name of Jesus. Footnote ^f says“ Other translate ‘so long as each of you turns from your wicked ways.’

2.       Mt 5:10-11 - Happy are those who are persecuted in the cause of right, theirs is the kingdom of heaven (v. 10). Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account (v. 11).

The Second Reading is taken from Rv 5:11-14. Verse 11 says: In my vision, I heard the sound of an immense number of angels gathered round the throne and the animals and the elders; there were ten thousand times ten thousand of them and thousands upon thousands…

Parallel texts are:

1.       Dn 7:10 - A stream of fire poured out, issuing from his presence. A thousand  thousand waited on him, ten thousand time ten thousand stood before him. A court was held, and the books were opened.ⁱ  Footnoteⁱ says “The book, in which men’s actions, good and bad, are recorded. Cf. Jr. 17:1; Ml 3:16; Ps 56:8; Lk 10: 20; Rv 20:12+. The image is later used in the Dies Irae. On the Book of Life, cf. 12:1+”.

2.       Jude 14-15 - It was with them in mind that Enoch, of the seventh generation from Adam, made his prophesy when he said, “I tell you, the Lord will come with his saints in tens of thousands (v. 14), to pronounce judgment on all mankind and to sentence the wicked for the wicked things they had done, and for all the defiant things said against him by irreligious sinners”^p (v. 15).Footnote ^p says “Enoch 1:9, probably quoted from memory.”

Verse 12 says: Shouting, “The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given power, riches,ⁱ wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing.”Footnoteⁱ says “Vulg. ‘divinity’”

Parallel texts are:

1.       Dn 2:20 - This is what Daniel said: “May the name of God be blessed forever and ever, since wisdom and power are his alone.

2.       Ph 2:7-9 - but emptied himself^g to assume the condition of a slave,^h and became as men areⁱ; and being as all men are,^j(v. 7), he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross (v. 8).But God raised^k him high and gave him the name which is above all other names^l (v. 9). Footnote ^g says ‘He emptied himself’; this is not so much a reference to the fact of the incarnation, as to the way it took place. What Jesus freely gave up was not his divine nature, but the glory to which his divine nature entitled him, and which had been his before the incarnation, Jn 17:5, and, which ‘normally’ speaking would have been observable in his human body (cf. the transfiguration, Mt 17:1-8). He voluntarily deprived himself of this so that it could be returned to him by the Father, cf. Jn 8:50,54, after his sacrifice, vv.9-11”; Footnote  ^h says ‘slave’ as opposed to ‘Kyrios’ v. 11, cf. Ga 4:1; Col 3:22f. Christ as man led a life of submission and humble obedience, v. 8. This is probably a reference to the ‘servant’ of Is 52:13-53:12, cf. Is 42:1; Footnote ⁱ says “Not just ‘a human being’ but a human being ‘like others’; sharing all the weaknesses of the human condition apart from sin”; Footnote ^j says  “Lit. ‘And in fashion found as man’; Footnote ^k- Lit ‘super-raised him’; by the resurrection and ascension”; and Footnote ^l says “Named him ‘Lord’, v. 11; or, at a deeper level, gave him an ineffable and divine name which, through the triumph of the risen Christ, can now be expressed by the title Kyrios, Lord, cf. Ac 2:21; 3:16+.”

Verse 13 and 14 say:  Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.” The four living creatures answered, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Parallel text of verse 13 are:

1.       Rv 5:3 - But there was no one, in heaven or on earth or under the earth,^b was able to open the scroll or to examine it. Footnote ^b says “In Hades, 1:18+”.

2.       Ps 150:6 - Let everything that breath give praise to Yahweh! Hallelujah!

3.       Jude 25 - To God, the only God, our savior, who saves us through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, authority and power, which he had before time began, now, and forever. Amen.

According to the narrative in Jn. 21:4-8, Jesus Christ was standing on the shore early dawn, called on his disciples who were on a boat and asked “My friend, have you caught anything?”(Jn 21:4-5). The disciples answered, “Nothing”. They did not know that it was Jesus Christ who called and they did not recognize his voice.

Then Jesus said to them, “Lower down your net on the right side of the boat and you will catch something.”

They did this and they caught many fish, so that they had difficulty in hauling the net and the other disciples on the other boats had to ride Peter’s boat to haul in the catch and bring it to shore. The distance of the boat to the shore was about a hundred yards (Cf. Jn 21: 6-8).

This story in Jn 21:4-8, if connected with Peter’s complaint stated in Lk 5:5 that says “We have labored all night but caught nothing”, we can find only one lesson or doctrine. This one lesson or doctrine that the gospels would like to teach is the new style, or Jesus’ secret, of catching fish which he wanted to teach his apostles.

Why did the disciples said in Jn 21:6 that they “caught nothing”  and in Lk 5:5 Peter himself said “We have labored all night but caught nothing?” Why was it that even they worked all night, still they did not catch anything?

If we are going to understand Jesus Christ’s instruction to his disciples who were on the boat at the lake to “drop the net on the right side of the boat (Jn 21:6), the meaning of this is that the reason why they were not able to catch any fish is because they were dropping their net on the left side of the boat which is the wrong side. That is why, they have to change their style or way of dropping their net according to Jesus’ way. Then, they were this able to catch a lot of fishes even if they were just a hundred yards away, and that they need not go very far off from the shore. 

This incident has a great application in their future work as ‘fishers of men”, no longer literal fishes, which they will do as Jesus Christ’s disciples, or as christians. In the work of the apostles, and us as modern apostles of Christ, in convincing people to attend the catechesis of evangelization or sacramentalization, we often complain that we are able to convince less and less people to attend our catechesis because of so many hindrances on our part or on the part of the people even if we say that we have been announcing or inviting people for so many days already.

Who indeed is at fault if we cannot convince people to attend? Is it the people or us?

If we base the explanation concerning this problem to the explanation on this incident of Jn 21:4-8 and Lk 5:5, the real source of the problem indeed, according to Jesus Christ, is our style or our way of convincing people, which in the gospel is being called as a wrong way or style of dropping the net to catch fish.

According to this story in Jn 21:4-8, the disciples dropped their nets on the left side of the boat, that is why they were not able to catch fish even they have “worked all night” (Lk 5:5). What was said here as “left side”, have a deeper meaning.

The meaning of putting down their net ‘on the left side’ is that the disciples were working with weakness, because being on the “left” means “weak”. Hence, if there is a left-handed person  who uses his left hand to work, the result is a poor kind of workmanship. That is why, in the Bible, “left” symbolizes a position or situation that is weak, with no strength, and has poor effect.   In Christian iconography, Satan is being depicted on the left side of God or of man (Cf. Jb. 1-6, Mt. 25:33, 41), in the same way that angels are being placed on the right side. Hence, if we use the left hand to undertake work, it means that the result is poor, weak, or has no force.

If we return to the problem we mentioned above regarding the difficulties we meet in convincing people to attend catechesis or evangelization, we will understand  that the problem lies with the apostles or missionaries who are not forceful enough in their work of convincing, but what prevails is their weakness. The apostle or missionary is the one who puts many weaknesses or obstacles in his work of convincing, that is why the result is poor or that no one attend. If the apostle is poor at explaining or discussing, hence he cannot catch people’s attention to listen to his teachings and then he could not have any one to enters the church. If there is a poor catch of ‘fish’, or that even if there was a catch but later these fishes were able to escape, this means that the apostle or missionary worked with so many weaknesses on his part. This poor result of his work is symbolized by “dropping the net on the left-side part of the boat”. 

The proof that there is truth in this teaching can be taken from the gospel that says “We worked all night, but caught nothing; but on your word, we will put down the net again” (Lk. 5:5). Simon Peter said that  “but on your word, we will put down the net again”, which is this word of Jesus? Jesus was “put your net on the starboard, or right-side of the boat, (Jn. 21:6).

When the disciples followed these words of Jesus Christ, their net was able to catch many big fishes that they needed not to go far off but only for a hundred yards from the shore.

The meaning of these words is that, if the apostles or missionaries, would only follow the instruction of Jesus Christ to work by using their whole strength, force, industriousness and ability, they will be able to convince many people and bring to God not only the small but big sinners as well. And that, they do not have to go off to very far places, even for a few yards only they will have already convinced many people to attend their preaching.