Raphael, The Great Draught of Fishes
Today’s Gospel from John tells the story of the Risen Jesus appearing to the apostles in Galilee along the shore of the Lake. As you recall, he told Mary Magdalene to go to the apostles and tell them to go to Galilee where he would see them. Galilee, the lake, where it all began, and where the real work of the church begins.
The great catch of fish recalls another similar account in Luke’s Gospel (5:1-11) where Peter first encounters Jesus, proclaims him, Lord, and is told by Jesus he will no longer be a fisherman, but a fisher of men. This net full of fish, dragged ashore by Peter is symbolic of all people being brought to salvation by the Church proclaiming the name ofJesus.
In the Acts of Apostles we see Peter doing exactly what he is sent by the Risen Jesus to do – which is the work and mission of the Church today – preaching this message:
There is no salvation through anyone else, [Jesus] nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be save. (Acts 4: 12)
Today’s Mass and Homily:
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