Third Sunday of Easter (C)

The matter-of-fact scene of breakfast by the lakeshore in weekend's Gospel reading, John 21:1-19, has deep theological and pastoral significance. The experienced fishermen are to become fishers of people. It is noteworthy that, as they were first called from what they knew best, fishing, now, despondent after the demise of Jesus and a fruitless night of fishing, they encounter the Risen Lord. Jesus directs them to a super-abundant catch as if to prefigure their new mission. The catch is numbered at 153 fish. Why the detail? Scholars suggest that this is to emphasise the mission of the Church will go out to all nations; 153 being the then calculated number of independent political entities. Peter has a particular role as leader of this community, which in the physical absence of Jesus will hereafter be renewed in the hospitality of God by the celebration of the Eucharist/Mass. But first, Peter’s faith is tested, mindful of his earlier threefold denial by another charcoal fire. “Only if Simon loves Jesus ‘more than these others’ will he be suitable to take up the pastoral role which Jesus has exercised to the point of death . . . In fact, as Jesus goes on to foretell, Peter too will end his pastoral office by laying down his life in imitation of his Lord” (Brendan Byrne). If faith is not lived, it is a mere philosophy of religion (Richard McBrien). To speak the truth in love has been and continues to be the mission of the Church. Committed Canberra Catholic and former businessman and senior Commonwealth public servant John Menadue has written in unequivocal terms about the tragedy of the war in Gaza. So too did Pope Francis on many occasions, addressing the issue in his last public address hours before his death. Menadue is unstinting in his criticism of Israeli politicians and the actions of the Israeli Defence Force. Many Israelis and others around the world are, too. I encourage you to pick up a copy of Menadue’s article in the foyer and decide for yourself. While bishops have a particular responsibility to lead and engage in the light of Scripture and the living tradition of the Church, leadership is not restricted to the ordained. To speak the truth in love is at the heart of our Jubilee Year of Hope. Bishop Vincent Long, Parramatta Diocese, recently reflected that the Jubilee is grounded in the Jewish sabbatical tradition. He spoke of it as a time “of radical reset: debts forgiven, slaves freed, land returned. It was a vision of restoration for communities fractured by greed and inequality. Long went on to say, “We are not naïve. But we are not resigned either. We believe in the possibility of transformation not because we are strong, but because Christ is present, even in the ruins. . . . And so the Church must embrace its calling to be critical in critical times; to model a different way of being human, grounded in justice, animated by mercy, and sustained by hope. Let us go forward then, walking with and for the poor, and building a world where no one is left behind. That is our task. That is our witness. That is our hope.”  

 Fr John

South Belconnen Parish Priest