Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Today’s Gospel is one of my favorites. It is so detailed. We can almost smell the sea as Peter and his companions are fishing on it. We can almost see the bronze and yellow hues in the sky as dawn begins to break. We can almost hear the crackling of the charcoal fire that Jesus has prepared on shore. And we can certainly sense the excitement of Peter when he realizes that the risen Lord is appearing to him once again. He literally jumps out of the boat and swims to the Lord. Remember, that this all takes place at dawn. The dark night is now over in so many ways!
Jesus asks Peter three times: “Do you love me?”
The third time Jesus asks Peter the same question, “Do you love me?” we can see the disappointed look on Peter’s face.
In order to understand the Lord’s three-fold question, we must remember the earlier scene in the Gospel when Jesus was on trial, and Peter was around a different charcoal fire. Three people said to Peter that night (notice that it is night!), “You are one of Jesus’s friends, aren’t you?” And three times Peter said, “I don’t know him.” How dark was Peter’s denial.
Today, Jesus is doing what he came to do. He is restoring. He is forgiving Peter and reconciling him. He is being the dawn of a new day for him. From our perspective, we know that Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus needs to be undone by his threefold declaration of love, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Only love can overcome the darkness of denial.
That’s why we need to say it ourselves over and over again with Peter, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” We need to be reconciled each day to the Lord too! We need the dawn of a new day for ourselves every day.
And then we read that Jesus feeds Peter.
There is no denying that the meal Jesus prepares is an allusion to the Mass. Fish is present — and fish has always been a symbol of Jesus. We see this symbol of Christ on many bumper stickers. Bread is also taken and shared — just like the Eucharistic bread at Mass, which is truly the risen Body and Blood of Jesus.
The Mass is the feast of our reconciliation. Before we approach the Lord at the altar, we should say to Jesus, “Lord, you know I love you.”
Then, as you receive Holy Communion, hear the voice of Jesus say to you, “Follow me.” And, then go. Go, wherever he takes you. Bring his Gospel of forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, light, and joy with you into the world. The world needs the dawn of a new day too!
Have a blessed week everyone. And don’t forget to pray for the cardinals of our Church as they enter into the Conclave to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit who will select the next successor of St. Peter.