Petrology

The nuclear theme of this Sunday’s Mass Readings leads us to the encounter of Peter with the Risen Christ. Peter was called the Rock and became the very foundation literally and figuratively of the Vatican Church. It was a different Peter we see in the First Reading and in the Second. A different Peter from that of a coward, loud, and compulsive Peter driven by emotions during the time of Jesus’ ministry. Why? Because of the encounter at the shore. The Gospel Reading then is prior to the first reading and second reading though it was read the last. What happened in the first reading and second reading are only aftermath of the encounter in John chapter 21. Now let me give you the Gospel reading first before I do the commentary.


John 21: 1-19
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe'ri-as; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."


Commentary

Peter’s primacy was vividly manifested by this particular reading. It is one of the juiciest and most theological parts of Johaninne writings. He already concluded the Gospel in Chapter 20 because the intention is over. The entire body, from Chapter 1 to 20 is enough for an unbeliever to believe in Jesus as it is written

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.”

But after such conclusion, he followed an epilogue. Some would say that it is for completion and verification. 3 is the credible number for the Jews so you see they say if three are there it is true. If there are three witnesses it can be proven true. If there are three appearances then it is absolutely true. So John added another instance when they saw Jesus before His ascension and that is indicated in the reading above. This was the third time they saw Jesus after the resurrection. Also, John wants to complete the organization of the gospel into three. There is a prologue, a body and so there must be an epilogue to make it three parts and make it truthful. John is very conscious with the truth. He really wants to fight for it. He is the only one who wrote that Jesus is the truth.

Now if the intention for unbelievers is already finished, who are the audiences of the epilogue of John and for what is it written? Why is it so juicy and rich in metaphors? It is for mature Christians. For those who are already believers. This chapter talks about the primacy of Peter as the head of the church; the commissioning of Christ to the apostles; the love of Jesus for the entire church; the melodious communion of different personalities in the church; and the verification of Christ second coming from his mouth. Therefore, in some ways it is very ecclesiological and pastoral. It is for Christians who are planning to backslide although I do not believe that Peter is backsliding when he said “I will go fishing” because they really do not have provisions. Where will they get food? It only shows that even before Jesus called Peter to papacy, he already is agreed by the other apostles to be their head.

Among thousands of questions Jesus could have asked Peter, He only asked him if Peter loves Him. He could asked the following
“Do you promise not to deny me again?”
“Do you swear you can be counted in all apostolic affairs?”
“Are you taking oath to change your impulsive ways?”

But Jesus is concerned only of one thing, that is, Love. Jesus only asked Peter the question of love. And Peter answered yes but that seemed to be no enough for Jesus. So Jesus again asked Peter, do you love me. The same answer was given but seemed to be, again, no enough. Jesus asked him the third time and there the heart of Peter bled. It was the time Peter realized he was paying for the sins of denying him three times. Peter was slow in intellect. He wasn’t able to recognize the Lord until John said so. He totally forgot the first time Jesus called him. He forgot his first encounter with the Lord. So the Jesus said, “I have to renew that encounter” a second calling perhaps for Peter. Peter is slow to recognize the Lord. Only when Jesus asked him the third time he became serious in the conversation and so remembered, Jesus knew where the fishes are. He always knew. And he said “Lord, you know all things” a declaration of Jesus’ omniscience. His supernatural knowledge of all things. It was Jesus who knows if we are sincere. It was Jesus who reads the heart and nothing can we cover up from him. And from that day on, Peter was asked to take care of Jesus flocked, the same promise as that of the first encounter, he will be fisher of men. Peter was totally changed by this and so in the Acts of the Apostle you see a different Peter. A Peter who is not anymore compulsive, a Peter who submits to what the Lord wants.

Jesus asked him take care of my flock, feed my lambs, and tend my sheep. I am sure Peter was puzzled, “He is asking me if I love him but he wants me to take care of sheep. What does the sheep has to do with that?” But Jesus is the lamb. The second reading from the book of Revelation tells us so. And in heaven, there Peter understood why he needs to serve others because that is the only way he can serve the Master. “I am the one pretending to be a lamb so I can see the sincerity of your love.”

Remember, the disciples asked Jesus, “When did we see you hungry, and thirsty and naked and sick?” and Jesus said “Whatever you do to least brothers of mine you do it for me.” And so “Peter you cannot love me without loving the Church because she is my body. You cannot love me without loving my lambs because I am the Lamb of God and so you will only love me the same in heaven, the way love a lamb here on earth.” And I am sure; Peter is one of those in heaven shouting and yelling, “Worthy is the Lamb!” This love for the lamb brought him to his death---Peter being crucified upside down.

Jesus asked if Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” Some would say that Jesus is asking Peter if he loves him more than fishing. Others would say, Jesus wants to know if Peter loves him more than the other apostles. But I believe it was more than that, more dramatic than being compared to a fishing profession. I believe Jesus saw a very happy Peter, because Peter is so happy that his friend was there eating with them. Peter was so happy for the catch of 153. Peter was so engrossed with the moment of camaraderie and reunion. Jesus wants to know, up to what extent can you love me. Can you love me even if I am not anymore doing miracles in your life? Can you love me even if loving me will bring you to persecution and much more death? Can you love when everyone else in the world seems to be unloving to you? And Peter said, YES! Jesus gave the follow up statement that one day it wouldn’t be like this. You will be old and people will lead you to ways you do not want to and even to your death. Peter still said yes.

Application

Jesus wants to know how much you love him. How did you experience the Risen Lord after three weeks of attending the Easter Season?