Often, we feel we have mastered the universe and how it works based on our ability to plumb a minuscule area of our natural habitat. Feeling that they have found the universal equation explaining everything, some go to the extent of reducing any recourse to faith and God as a retreat into infantilism. Today’s Gospel, among other things, shows us that creation has a master who has permitted us to form some tie of reciprocal dependency with created matter, yet maintaining ultimate control of its vast arrays. And so, these professional fishermen (seven of them) thought that getting back to the waters meant revising an old dance to which they had given a large portion of their years before they met this itinerant Rabbi, Jesus. For the past three years, they had followed Him, and now He had left them “for good;” they thought about how to bring closure to their relationship with Him. Peter was the one to suggest: “I am going fishing;” and the other five professionals in the fishing industry responded in unison, “We also will come with you.” Disappointingly, they fished all night and caught nothing. Why they were called out of the waters to take up their new vocation as “fishers of men” had not become clear to them.
Then came Jesus! He calls them “children,” and so they are. The one who was the amateur directs the professionals to cast the net on the right side; because, they still don’t get it: there is always a right way to do anything and someone knows better than you, the so-called professional. Sometimes, those who tout themselves as experts keep awake in the dark searching for vermin, afraid of nobler gains. Jesus shows the apostles and us that there is one who is Master of the Universe and has total control over all areas of life, including something as minute as the direction the fish goes or could be found. Once again, Jesus would call these men out of the waters to apply their skill to become true fishermen (fishers-of-men). Similarly, He calls the neophytes and us out of the water of baptism to prepare a table (the Eucharist) for us. The miraculous catch of fish becomes a sign of new things to come. Many will be caught into the net (the Church) from the waters of baptism. That net—the Church—will be kept so strong and so big that no amount catch will be able to tear it. Fish will become a new symbol of their relationship with the Master. They are to become the fish (ichtus) made complete by their relationship with Christ (christus). When the persecutions set in, ichtus (fish) will become a symbol of christus (Christ), depicted till today in Christian art. Even the fishing boat becomes a symbol of the Church sailing over the wild ocean of sin and death, often tossed about by the waves, but kept secure by the power of the Risen Christ who promised to be with her till the end of the age. Do not be afraid when it seems the boat is sinking; only remind yourself that you are not its captain; neither is your pastor, bishop, or even the pope. Christ is the captain of the boat; and even if He appears to be asleep, we trust that He is able to steer us on the right course.
Having been called out of the water a second time, the disciples must decide between the Church and the fishing boat. Peter, again, representing humanity and the Church would make a triple profession of faith. This has been interpreted by some scholars as affirmation of love to counter his triple denial. Yet, a further interpretation leads us to see from the triple command of Jesus: “Feed me lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep,” a specific Eucharistic element, emphasizing its central place (source and summit) in the life of the Church. And by Jesus’ curious prediction of Peter’s martyrdom, He shows that the Eucharist will become the food that will give martyrs the strength to remain steadfast. Animated by this forceful élan (the Eucharist), Peter and all disciples will be driven towards service to each other and surrender to the Lord.
Fr. Chukwudi Jo Okonkwo