Third Sunday Of Easter
JOHN 21: 1-19
Many scholars consider John 21 to be material added after the author closed the gospel by signing off in 20:30-31. Of the 25 verses in chapter 21, twenty-two of them relate to Simon Peter. The setting is one of several post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. The locality is the Sea of Galilee, in this case called the Sea of Tiberius. Simon Peter is engaged in his trade - fishing. His companions are Thomas (of doubting fame), Nathanael who was last seen in chapter one, the sons of Zebedee and two others. They fished all night, but caught nothing. At daybreak Jesus was standing on the beach. The disciples did not recognize him. He asked, "Did you catch anything?" They answer with a curt "No!"
Jesus told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. They did, and the net was full of fish, so heavy they could not pull it in. One of the heroes of the author of this gospel is called "the Beloved Disciple." Only he recognizes Jesus and tells Simon Peter, "It is the Lord!" As was the custom among fishermen, Peter was naked in the boat. He put on his clothes and jumped into the sea, while others dragged the net to land. Jesus was not only a fish-locator but also a cook. He had a fire going and was grilling fish. The disciples were invited to add more fish, so Simon Peter hauled in the net full of large fish - one hundred and fifty three. Details of this kind indicate an eyewitness, who later related this story now embedded in John's gospel to introduce the commissioning of Simon Peter.
When all had eaten of the meal prepared by Jesus, he directed three questions at Peter. In a formal address he said, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" Simon confirmed that he did, "You know that I love you." Jesus replies, "Feed my lambs." The question is repeated, and Jesus says, "Shepherd my sheep!" Simon was irritated when Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" He replied, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Jesus replies, "Feed my sheep!" In this way Simon Peter atoned for his earlier failure - a triple public denial that he even knew Jesus.
In the other three gospels Jesus calls Simon Peter and others from their occupation as professional fishermen. The three gospels recognize the symbolism of fishing as a metaphor for drawing people to Jesus. Thus Jesus says in those three gospels, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men," or "Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men." John switches from the symbol of fishing to that of shepherd. This is agrees with Old Testament symbolism, where God himself assumes the role of shepherd, Ezekiel 34. Simon Peter's role in the Christian community is therefore a divine function, but vicariously performed. Thus Jesus says, "Feed MY sheep!"
At the end of the dialogue Jesus invites Peter, "Follow me." He does not precede Jesus nor walk as an equal but follows behind him. At the Last Supper Jesus spoke of leaving the disciples. Peter wanted to know where he was going. Jesus replied, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow me later." Just as in this episode of Peter's commissioning, at the Last Supper Peter was also annoyed, and said, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus made it clear that Peter was not ready to follow him, when he said, "You will lay down you life for me? The cock will not crow until you have denied me three times."
Peter atoned for his failure by his triple affirmation of love. Therefore, "Follow me." He is now ready to die for Jesus. Therefore Jesus says to Peter, "When you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and take you where you do not want to go." Thus Jesus describes Peter's martyrdom. Why did John add this episode to his gospel, since he wrote when Peter had been dead for about thirty years? There is early second century evidence in the letters of Bishop Ignatius of Antioch, that Christian unity was falling apart. Ignatius insists not only on the centrality of the bishop of a Christian Church but upholds the central role of the Church at Rome, "which was commanded by Peter and Paul." Those who deny the commanding role of Peter as the Bishop of Rome imperil unity and build their house on sand rather than rock.
ACTS 5:27-32,40b-41
The apostles were imprisoned by order of the high priest and his council. They were brought before the council. The high priest recalled that he had commanded them not to teach in the name of Jesus, but they disobeyed, "and with your teaching you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." Peter response enrages them. The great scribe Gamaliel intervenes, "Take care what you do. If this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail, but if it is from God, you will fail, and may even be opposing God."
REVELATION 5:11-14
In a vision of heaven John hears a hymn expressing equality between God and the Lamb. "To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and power forever and ever. Amen." The Lamb is proclaimed worthy of being honored by all the living "because he was slain." John echoes Philippians 2:10-11.
