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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. John 21:3–6
In three of His resurrection appearances, Jesus did not immediately
reveal His true presence to His disciples. He wanted to teach
them—and us—important lessons on how we are to encounter Him. In
each of these appearances, the same thing happened: Those to whom
Jesus appeared did not recognize Him at first. Only after some
interaction with Him were their eyes opened to discern that it was
the Lord.
The first of these encounters is recorded in John 20:11–18, when
Mary Magdalene sat outside Jesus’ empty tomb, weeping at the
thought that His body had been stolen. She remained there with
profound devotion and love, revealing a model for our prayer. Only
when Jesus called Mary by name did she recognize Him. This personal
call opens her eyes, reminding us of the importance of a personal
relationship with Christ. In imitation of Mary’s deep love and
steadfast devotion, we are invited to remain vigilant in prayer,
ready to hear Him call us by name.
The second instance is in Luke 24:13-35, when two disciples
journeying to Emmaus are joined by Jesus, though “their eyes were
kept from recognizing Him.” As they walked, Jesus explained
everything in the Scriptures that pointed to His messianic mission.
This teaches us that we, too, encounter the Lord in the Word of
God. By reading, pondering, and praying over Scripture, we open
ourselves to meeting Jesus. Once the disciples understood the
Scriptures, Jesus broke bread with them, and they recognized Him,
but He vanished from their sight. Jesus’ disappearance at that
moment reveals a profound truth: He remains truly present in the
Eucharist, even though we do not physically see Him.
Finally, in today’s Gospel passage from John 21:1–14, the disciples
recognize Jesus only after the miraculous catch of fish. Having
fished all night without success, they obey when Jesus tells them
from the shore to “Cast the net over the right side of the boat,”
resulting in an overwhelming catch. This reminds us of the moment
when Jesus first called Simon Peter and Andrew, saying, “Come after
me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Here, Jesus
reveals to the Apostles—and to us—that we will encounter Him in our
apostolic works when done at His command. When we align our actions
with His will, He blesses them, yielding an abundance of spiritual
fruit. Thus, our apostolic efforts are another way in which the
Risen Lord is present with us, working through us to draw souls to
Himself.
Reflect today on the longing of Jesus’ disciples to encounter His
resurrected presence. Ponder the lessons He imparted by initially
concealing His presence, then revealing Himself. Resolve to seek
the living and resurrected Lord in your life. Through love and
devotion, meet Him in prayer, where He calls you by name. In the
Word of God and the Eucharist, recognize Him in your midst. And in
fidelity to His guiding hand in your apostolic work, see His
superabundant fruitfulness as a sign of His presence, drawing many
souls to Himself through you. Jesus is not dead; He is alive and
desires to continue appearing to us in hidden and mysterious ways.
Anticipate His ongoing resurrection appearances in your life,
knowing that He is always with you when you remain faithful, in
imitation of these holy disciples.
My ever-present Lord, You are always attentive to us, Your
children, and never abandon us. You call each of us by name, come
to us through Your Word and Sacraments, and direct our apostolic
works. Help me to discern Your presence in my life, discovering You
every day in the ways You desire to be present to me. Jesus, I
trust in You.
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