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Simon do you love me?


Gospel
John 21:1-19
Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.
    It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish 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. 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, 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, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. 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. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
    After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.

‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’

In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’

Reflection 

In this narrative, we find the disciples returning to their former occupation of fishing after Jesus' death and resurrection. Despite their expertise, they catch nothing all night-a symbol of futility without Christ's guidance. When morning comes, Jesus appears on the shore, though they don't recognize him initially. His simple instruction to cast their nets on the right side results in an overwhelming catch of fish.

The beloved disciple recognizes Jesus first, declaring "It is the Lord!" Peter, in his characteristic impulsiveness, jumps into the water to reach Jesus quickly. Upon reaching shore, they discover Jesus has already prepared a meal for them-fish cooking over a charcoal fire with bread7. This meal becomes a moment of communion and fellowship with the risen Lord.

The most poignant part of this passage is Jesus' threefold questioning of Peter: "Do you love me?".This mirrors Peter's earlier threefold denial of Jesus. Through this exchange, Jesus restores Peter completely, entrusting him with the care of his flock-"Feed my lambs," "Take care of my sheep," "Feed my sheep". Jesus then foretells Peter's martyrdom and ends with the simple command that echoes his first call to Peter: "Follow me"

This passage beautifully illustrates how Jesus meets us in our ordinary lives, provides abundantly beyond our expectations, restores us from our failures, and recommissions us for service. The breakfast by the shore reminds us that Jesus provides not just spiritual nourishment but cares for our physical needs as well

Question for reflection: 
Where in your life are you "fishing" without success, and how might Jesus be calling you to cast your nets in a different direction? How has Jesus restored you after failure and recommissioned you for service in his kingdom?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for meeting us where we are, even when we return to old patterns and familiar shores. Help us to recognize your presence in our daily lives and to hear your voice guiding us. When we fail, restore us as you restored Peter, with love and purpose. Give us the courage to follow you wherever you lead, even when the path is difficult. May we feed your sheep with the same love and care you have shown to us. Amen.



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