April 25, 2025
Friday in the Octave of Easter
Lectionary: 265
Reading 1
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."
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm
118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a
R.(22) The stone rejected by the builders has
become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
"His mercy endures forever."
Let those who fear the LORD say,
"His mercy endures forever."
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sequence -- optional
Victimae paschali laudes
Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your
thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who
only is sinless,
Reconciles
sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The Prince
of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you
saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of
Jesus’ resurrection;
bright angels attesting,
The shroud
and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
to Galilee
he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy,
victor King, ever reigning!
Amen.
Alleluia.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
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.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042525.cfm
Commentary on Acts
4:1-12
The next stage in the mission of the disciples now takes
place—after the proclamation and healing comes the persecution and harassment,
as promised by Jesus.
As in the Gospel, we see the contrasting reactions between
the Jewish leaders and the people. The leaders, mostly Sadducees who did not
believe in resurrection after death, are objecting to the Apostles’ teaching
about the resurrection of Jesus, and put them under arrest together with the
man they had healed.
Those arresting the Apostles include the priests, the
captain of the temple guard and Sadducees. The priests were those responsible
for the temple liturgies. The temple guard was composed of Levites, and their
captain ranked next to the high priest. The Sadducees, among other things, were
drawn from the priestly families and from the upper classes. The high priest
was one of their members. They tended to be pro-Rome and hence found Jesus and
his followers to be a dangerous element. The Sadducees were strongly opposed to
and by the Pharisees.
As it is late in the day, Peter and John are thrown into
jail for the night. The evening sacrifices ended about 4 o’clock in the
afternoon, and the temple gates would be closed after that. Judgements
involving life and death had to be begun and ended during daylight hours.
In spite of the religious authorities’ actions, many of the
people who had heard Peter’s preaching did believe in his message and their
numbers had swollen to 5,000, up from 3,000 on the day of Pentecost—an amazing
number in such a short time.
On the following day, Peter and John are made to stand
before a meeting of the top leadership, including the high priest and members
of his family. They are led by Annas. He was officially high priest from AD
6-15, but deposed by the Romans and succeeded by his son, Eleazar, and then by
his son-in-law, Caiaphas (whom we meet during the account of Jesus’ passion).
However, Annas was still recognised by the Jews as the real high priest. The
John mentioned with him may be a son, while Alexander is otherwise unknown.
What strikes one in this scene is the boldness of Peter,
when compared to his behaviour during the passion of Jesus. As Jesus had
promised in his lifetime, Peter is filled with the Spirit which gives him both
his courage and his eloquence to speak out boldly. What they have done, they
tell their accusers, has been done in the name of Jesus:
…this man is standing before you in good health by the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the
dead.
Quoting from Psalm 118, Peter tells them about Jesus:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone. (Ps 118:22)
In general, the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies was
important in early Christian preaching. This is especially the case with
Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus, himself, was quoted as using this text about himself.
The passage ends with:
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other
name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.
The message is very clear. In the Roman world in the time of
Acts, salvation was often attributed to the emperor, often hailed as a
‘saviour’ and a ‘god’. Peter, however, affirms that real salvation can only
come from Christ.
A passage like this gives us encouragement. First, we ought
not be surprised that we will be mocked and attacked for our faith in Christ
and his Gospel, and second, we can be assured that we will be provided with
what we need when faced with hostility and even persecution.
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Commentary on John
21:1-14
Today we have a resurrection story which is unique to John
and is in his final “extra” chapter, which may be a kind of appendix added on
later by another author following the Johannine tradition. The text contains
some peculiarities which are closer to Luke’s style, but others which are
Johannine. It bears close resemblance to a similar story about a catch of fish
in Luke (5:1-11), and another in Matthew (14:28-31) where Peter gets out of the
boat to go to Jesus. Although it seems added to the original text, the chapter
appears in all extant manuscripts of John.
Like most of John’s accounts, it is a story full of
symbolism. We see a group of disciples, seven altogether, seemingly at a loose
end with nothing to do. The seven are Simon Peter, Thomas the Twin, Nathanael
from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons (James and John) and two other disciples.
Nathanael, who is only mentioned in John’s Gospel, appears
in John 1 as one who was called by Philip. This is the only mention of James
and John in John’s Gospel, although they have a central role in the other three
Gospels. Some speculate John may be the second of the two disciples called by
Jesus in John 1 (the one named is Andrew), but he could also be the ‘Beloved
Disciple’ (the “disciple whom Jesus loved”), not yet ready to be so called.
Of the two other disciples in the boat, one is presumed to
be the Beloved Disciple who appears very soon in the story. The number seven
suggests the fullness of the community. John likes the number seven—he records
seven signs performed by Jesus, and seven ‘I AM’ statements.
Peter, the leader, decides to make a move and says, “I am
going fishing.” It is what he knows best, and the others go along with him. Is
there an implication that the great enterprise that Jesus began is over and
they return to their old way of living?
After a whole night on the lake they get nothing. (Aristotle
tells us that night-time was favoured for fishing.) Is there also an echo of
words spoken at the Last Supper, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)?
As the light of dawn breaks Jesus is standing on the shore
but, as usually happens in these post-resurrection scenes, they do not
recognise him. He asks the question fishermen do not like to be asked:
Children, you have no fish, have you?
Reluctantly they have to admit, “no”. He then gives them
some suggestions. On a natural level, it is possible he could see a movement of
fish that was not visible from the boat, but the real meaning is deeper. He
will lead the fish to them as he will lead people to them later on.
After following Jesus’ instructions, they make a huge haul
of fish, so many that they cannot be brought into the boat. The exact number is
given: 153. Is that an actual memory or is there a special symbolism in the
number? St Augustine thought the latter and made his own speculations. St
Jerome saw it as an expression of the universalism of the Christian mission,
saying that the Greeks believed there were altogether 153 kinds of fish. The
number is also the sum of the first 17 digits: 1+2+3…
However, that aside, the main point is to emphasise God’s
generosity, recalling, for example, the amount of water changed into wine at
Cana, the amount left over after feeding the crowds in the desert, the
abundance of life that the Good Shepherd gives, the fullness of the Spirit, and
the life-giving water that guarantees we are never thirsty. As well, the net
was not broken. The net itself is, as in other texts, a symbol of the Kingdom
of God.
This is all clearly a parable, a symbol of their future work
as fishers of people, a work whose success will originate in the power of Jesus
behind them and in their following what he tells them to do.
A similar incident had happened during Jesus’ earthly life
and the “disciple whom Jesus loved” immediately saw the connection. He is the
one with deeper insight into the presence and the ways of his Master. “It is
the Lord!” he exclaims.
But if the “other disciple” was the one whom Jesus loved,
Peter was the one who loved Jesus. And it is Peter, the impetuous one, who
reacts first. He “put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off”* and jumps
into the water to get to Jesus, leaving the others to bring the boat and fish
to the shore. Such is his anxiety to be close to his Lord.
Says the New International Bible:
“It is curious that he put on this garment (the word appears
only here in the New Testament) preparatory to jumping into the water. But Jews
regarded a greeting as a religious act that could be done only when one was
clothed.”
Peter is responding to the call “It is the Lord” and hears
it as pointing to Jesus as someone special.
On the shore they find that Jesus has lit a fire. There is
bread and some fish cooking. (Where did these fish come from? This is the kind
of question we do not need to ask when reading a symbol-full passage like
this.)
Jesus says to the Apostles:
Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.
“You”? Yes, literally they had pulled the fish in, but where
had they originally come from? The same goes for much of what we claim to do.
It is important to acknowledge God’s role in our actions, especially our
“successes”.
In response to the command, it is Peter, the leader—now and
in the future—who alone brings in the huge catch from the boat by the water’s
edge. Peter alone dragging the net in is an image of the Kingdom coming
(compare the parable beginning in Matt 13:47). His action also signifies the special
position of Peter in the mission of the Apostles. Just now the whole group
together could not haul the net into the boat.
Jesus then invites them to come and eat with him the meal he
has prepared for them. Here, too, there are Eucharistic overtones. Now as they
stand close to the friendly stranger, no one dares to ask “Who are you?”
because they know quite well it is the Lord, the risen Jesus. Again we are
being taught to find the presence of the Lord in all those who are kind to us,
who do good to us in any way, and especially in those who share the Eucharistic
meal with us. In the same way, we are called to be Jesus to everyone that we
encounter.
If there were any questions remaining, Jesus’ identity is
now confirmed by his taking the bread and the fish and giving it to them to
eat. He broke bread; he celebrated a Eucharist with them.
We have here, then, some central pillars of our faith:
recognising Christ
in the kindly stranger and playing that role ourselves;
expressing our love
and solidarity with each other through our celebration of the Eucharist and
breaking bread together;
working with the
power of Jesus to fill the net that is the Kingdom, becoming truly fishers of
people.
__________________________
*That is, he was naked. Some of our
translations use all kinds of euphemisms (e.g. ‘lightly clad’, New
American Bible) to express this. Does it shock us that the first pope could
go around like this? Male nakedness was much more acceptable in Peter’s
society. A redeemed people should have no problem with an unclothed body. It
was only after their sin that Adam and Eve became ashamed of their nakedness.
Jesus reversed that by dying naked on the cross. We need to remember, too, that
Peter is still under a cloud after denying his Master three times. Nakedness is
only for the innocent. So, the moment he hears the person on the shore is his
Lord, perhaps it is shame and guilt that make him cover himself. It is possible
that all the others were naked also, but had no reason to cover themselves. Very
soon, however, there will be a reconciliation between Jesus and Peter.
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https://livingspace.sacredspace.ie/e1016g/
Friday,
April 25, 2025
Friday within the Octave of Easter
Opening Prayer
Our God and Father,
through our risen Lord,
your Son Jesus Christ, you have given us a message of hope and a person to live
for. Free our faith from triviality and routine and fill us with his Spirit of
courage, that we may learn to live with the insecurities of the change of
renewal ever demanded by the gospel and by the needs of the times. May our
Christian living bear witness to the name of him by whom we are saved, Jesus
Christ, our risen Lord.
Gospel Reading - John 21: 1-14
Later, Jesus revealed
himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened
like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said,
'I'm going fishing.' They replied, 'We'll come with you.' They went out and got
into the boat but caught nothing that night. When it was already light, there
stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realize that it was
Jesus. Jesus called out, 'Haven't you caught anything, friends?' And when they
answered, 'No,' he said, 'Throw the net out to starboard and you'll find
something.' So, they threw the net out and could not haul it in because of the
quantity of fish.
The disciple whom Jesus loved said to
Peter, 'It is the Lord.' At these words, 'It is the Lord,' Simon Peter tied his
outer garment round him (for he had nothing on) and jumped into the water. The
other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net with the fish; they were
only about a hundred yards from land. As soon as they came ashore, they saw
that there was some bread there and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it.
Jesus said, 'Bring some of the fish you have just caught.'
Simon Peter went aboard and
dragged the net ashore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them;
and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them,
'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, 'Who
are you?' They knew quite well it was the Lord.
Jesus then stepped forward,
took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the
third time that Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after rising from the
dead.
Reflection
Chapter 21 of the Gospel of
Saint John seems like an appendix which was added later after the Gospel had
already been written. The conclusion of the previous chapter (Jn 20: 30-31)
makes one perceive that it is an addition. However, whether it is an addition
or not, it is the Word of God which presents us the beautiful message of the
Resurrection on this fifth day of Easter week.
•
John 21: 1-3: The fisherman of men returns to be
a fisherman of fish. Jesus has died and has risen. At the end of three years of
life together with Jesus, the disciples returned toward Galilee. A group of
them find themselves together before the lake. Peter goes back to the past and
says: “I am going fishing!” The others answer: “We will come with you!” Thus,
Thomas, Nathanael, John and James together with Peter go to the boat to go
fishing. They go back to the life of the past as if nothing had happened. But
something did happen. Something was taking place! The past did not return! “We
have caught nothing!” They go back to the shore, tired. This had been a night
filled with frustration.
•
John 21: 4-5: The context of the new apparition
of Jesus. Jesus was on the shore, but they did not recognize him. Jesus asks:
“Little children, have you anything to eat?” They answered: “No!” In the
negative response they realize that the night had been deceiving because they
had caught nothing, no fish. They had been called to be fishermen of men (Mk 1:
17; Lk 5: 10), and they go back to be fishermen of fish. But something had
changed in their life! The experience of three years with Jesus produces in
them an irreversible change. It was no longer possible to return to the past as
if nothing had happened, as if nothing had changed.
•
John 21: 6-8: “Throw the net out to the right of
the boat and you will find something” They did something which perhaps they had
never done in their life. Five experienced fishermen obey a foreigner who
orders them to do something which is in contrast to their experience. Jesus,
that unknown person, who is on the shore, orders them to throw the net on the
right side of the boat. They obey; they throw the net and behold the unexpected
result. The net was full of fish! How was this possible! How to explain this
surprise so unexpected, unforeseen! Love makes one discover. The beloved
disciple says: “It is the Lord.” This intuition clarifies everything. Peter
jumped into the water to get close to Jesus very quickly. The other disciples
follow him, pulling the boat, and dragging the net full of fish.
•
John 21: 9-14: The kindness of Jesus. Coming
ashore, they saw a charcoal fire which had been lit by Jesus, where he was
roasting fish and bread. He asked them to take some of the fish they had caught
and immediately Peter went to the boat and towed the net containing one hundred
and fifty fish. A great number of fish and the net did not break. Jesus calls
the multitude: “Come and eat!” He had the kindness to prepare something to eat
after a deceiving night during which they had caught nothing. A very simple
gesture which reveals something of God’s love for
us. “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14: 9). None of the
disciples was bold enough to ask, “who are you,” because they knew he was the
Lord. And recalling the Eucharist, John, the Evangelist contemplates: “Jesus
stepping forward took the bread and gave it to them.” Thus, he suggests that
the Eucharist is the privileged place for the encounter with the Risen Jesus.
Personal Questions
•
Has it ever happened to you that someone has
told you to throw the net to the right side of your life, to do something
contrary to your experience? Have you obeyed? Have you thrown in the net?
•
The kindness of Jesus. How is your kindness in
the small things of life?
Concluding Prayer
Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good, for his faithful love
endures forever. Let those who fear Yahweh say, 'His faithful love endures
forever.' (Ps 118)
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