Gospel: April 25, 2025
April 25, 2025 (Friday)
Octave of Easter, Friday
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 118:1-2 & 4, 22-24, 25-27a
The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
1st Reading: Acts 4:1-12
Gospel: John 21:1-14
After this, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples by the Lake of Tiberias. He appeared to them in this way: Simon Peter, Thomas who was called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples were together; and Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They replied, “We will come with you.” And they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples
did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, “Friends, have you anything to eat?” They answered, “Nothing.” Then he said to them, “Throw the net on the right side of the boat and you will find something.” When they had lowered the net, they were not able to pull it in because of the great number of fish. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” At these words, “It’s the Lord!” Simon Peter put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and jumped into the water. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish; they were not far from land, about a hundred meters.
When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed into the boat and pulled the net to shore. It was full of big fish 153 but, in spite of this, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” And not one of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” for they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and he did the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after rising from the dead.
Reflection:
“Peter’s fear is dispelled.”
Christ has risen and appeared to his disciples, but the reality has still to take hold in their hearts. There is still uncertainty and confusion. They wonder what to do now. The answer seems to be to go back to what is familiar, and so they go fishing. Then Jesus appears on the lakeside and calls to them. They still don’t recognize him, evidence that their faith in the Risen Lord is still wavering, and so he strengthens it further with actions that are also familiar. Thus, there is a repetition of their experience of a miraculous catch of fish, and he feeds them.
Peter’s fear is dispelled, and he leaps into the water to reach Jesus at all speed. When Jesus had walked on the water, Peter had waited for Jesus to invite him to come to him. Now, he throws himself in, desperate to be with the Lord. These appearances of Christ are fundamental to the apostles’ confidence and capacity to be witnesses to others, as we see in the Acts of the Apostles. May our prayer this Easter help us to grow in our confidence in the Risen Lord, even in the face of challenge.
