DO NOT GO BACK TO YOUR FISHING NETS

 

Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year C

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scriptural Texts: Acts 5:27b-32, 40b-41, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

 

The crucifixion of Jesus was one experience that the disciples of Jesus had a hard time grappling with. They did not fully understand how Jesus whom they believed to be the promised Messiah, could submit himself to death. That is why after his death, they were utterly confused. Their hearts and minds were filled with despair and disillusionment. They questioned in their hearts, what was to become of them and the mission that Jesus had given them. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were fleeing Jerusalem because they had lost all hope in Jesus and the mission (Luke 24:13-35).

Even those who managed to stay back in Jerusalem, could not do so openly. They were afraid and in hiding lest what happened to their master became their lot (John 20:19-29). As they grew despondent while waiting, they had to find what to do with their lives. As a result, in our today’s gospel reading, we find Peter and the other disciples returning to their regular fishing business (John 21:3). They had lost all hope in Jesus and his mission and the only thing left for them was to go back to the very thing they left to follow Jesus- fishing for fish instead of men.

Like the disciples, in our own moments of doubt and darkness, we too fall into the temptation of going back to our former ways of life, to places we had rather not have gone. In our own walk with the Lord, very often, some major disappointments or failings on our parts make us go back to our fishing nets. Our own fishing nets are the things that hinder us from truly stepping out into the fullness of the resurrected life. Our own fishing nets are our old life and attitudes. Today, we are invited to walk in the newness of life that the Lord has gained for us through his death and resurrection. We are challenged to stay committed even when quitting is an option.

The disciples seemed to have lost their fishing skill because they had gone out at night (the best time to catch fish in the Sea of Galilee) but caught nothing (John 21:3). This must have been very disheartening to them. But just at that moment, the Risen Lord stood on the shore, close by them even though they failed to recognize him just like the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. The Lord invited them to set out again and this time to throw their nets to starboard. The resulting enormous catch led one of the disciples, the beloved disciple, to recognize that the stranger was none other than the Lord. ‘It is the Lord’, he said to Peter (John 21:4-8). Sometimes when we refuse to let a difficult situation or life experience get the better of us, and set out again, perhaps in response to some invitation of Jesus, we too come to recognize that the Lord is with us, standing on the shore of our lives.

The Risen Jesus is always with us even in our moments of darkness, confusion and despondency, when the future seems bleak. He is always standing on the shores of our lives, inviting us to put out into the deep- to keep pushing. Let us never allow the trials and struggles of life to blind us from recognizing the Lord who is always standing near us. The disciples recognized Jesus and their faith became an informed faith to the extent that they became more courageous in witnessing to their faith in Jesus even in the face of great opposition (Acts 5:27-32). May the presence of the Risen Lord renew our own faith in Jesus Christ and make us true witnesses.