FRIDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER - Gospel (John 21:1-14) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something. “ (Jn 21:6)

FIRST READING - Acts 4:1-12

A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

After the crippled man had been cured,

while Peter and John were still speaking to the people,

the priests, the captain of the temple guard,

and the Sadducees confronted them,

disturbed that they were teaching the people

and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

They laid hands on Peter and John

and put them in custody until the next day,

since it was already evening.

But many of those who heard the word came to believe

and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes

were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest,

Caiaphas, John, Alexander,

and all who were of the high-priestly class.

They brought them into their presence and questioned them,

"By what power or by what name have you done this?"

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them,

"Leaders of the people and elders:

If we are being examined today

about a good deed done to a cripple,

namely, by what means he was saved,

then all of you and all the people of Israel should know

that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean

whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;

in his name this man stands before you healed.

He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,

which has become the cornerstone.

There is no salvation through anyone else,

nor is there any other name under heaven

given to the human race by which we are to be saved."

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 21:1-14

From the Gospel according to John

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.

He revealed himself in this way.

Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,

Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,

Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples.

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."

They said to him, "We also will come with you."

So they went out and got into the boat,

but that night they caught nothing.

When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;

but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?"

They answered him, "No."

So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat

and you will find something."

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in

because of the number of fish.

So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord."

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,

he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,

and jumped into the sea.

The other disciples came in the boat,

for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,

dragging the net with the fish.

When they climbed out on shore,

they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.

Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught."

So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore

full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.

Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast."

And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?"

because they realized it was the Lord.

Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,

and in like manner the fish.

This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples

after being raised from the dead.

FRIDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER - Gospel (John 21:1-14)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

The event of Jesus' resurrection in today's Gospel shows that God's work of salvation is being increasingly revealed to the disciples. When His disciples were still sad, disappointed, and ready to give up, the Lord continued to appear to them, showing that He was always alive and present—accompanying His disciples every second, every minute, and every event of life.

All the events in today's Gospel are closely connected to Jesus' words during His ministry:

• He appointed Saint Peter as the Rock and the leader of the disciples.

• He sent His disciples to go fishing to become "fishers of men"—that is, to preach the Gospel and bring souls to salvation.

• When the disciples listen to and follow the Lord’s teachings, they will catch many fish—meaning, they will bring many souls to God.

• In the work of proclaiming the Gospel and spreading God’s Word, Jesus always walks with His disciples.

Through the image of Jesus appearing to the disciples, God wants to remind all Christians today—especially Church leaders—to listen to and live by His teachings. In doing so, they will feel His presence, His guidance, and His instruction in every step of their lives. Then they will “catch many fish,” that is, save many souls for God.

Today’s Word of God also teaches us:

• Belief in God, trust in Him, and follow all His teachings—then Satan will flee.

• Follow the example of Saint Peter: once he recognized the Lord, he did everything he could to run to Him.

• Look at the example of Saint John the Apostle: because he loved God above all else, he immediately recognized Jesus when he saw His shadow. He knew it was the Lord who was with them.

Today, the Church is called to reflect on the appearance of the risen Lord to the disciples for the third time, at the Sea of Tiberias, while they were fishing. When the disciples obeyed the Lord’s instructions to cast their net on the right side of the boat, they caught an abundance of fish. In the same way, the Church must open its heart to listening to God's teachings and following His guidance.

Thanks be to God. Amen