After the resurrection of Jesus there were fourty days till his Ascension. These forty days following Jesus’ resurrection were a period of joy, courage, and hope for the disciples of Jesus.
They rejoiced immensely because they knew that their master Jesus, who had been murdered, was alive and had risen from the dead. It was not only a knowledge and information, but also a personal and communitarian experience. The risen Jesus appeared to them again and again, wishing them peace, just as he did during his lifetime. These appearances and revelations gave the disciples much courage and strength. They were really frightened by the Jews. Because of this joy of the resurrection, the disciples remained together until the coming of the Holy Spirit, despite their fear of the Jews, in the hope of strength and courage from the Lord and then started preaching the kingdom of God.
In today’s Gospel, we can clearly see how great this joy, courage, and hope must have been for the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection. John recognizes Jesus and calls himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. This means that John was very much convinced that Jesus loved him and he confessed this publicly. It means also that John loved Jesus very much. This is an experience and a confession that each one of us can have personally, that Jesus loves each one personally.
Peter jumped into the lake, swam, and tried to get close to Jesus as quickly as possible before the boat with the fish could reach the shore. This over enthusiasm of Peter is also a sign of the expression of his love and commitment to Jesus.
Jesus gave the disciples a clue about where to find fish. Following the direction of Jesus helped them to succeed in their work. Jesus can give us clues even today too in all our endeavours. Listening to him can bring us success as well.
Jesus prepared a meal for them and ate with them; he even spoke the same words as at the Last Supper: “Come and eat.” Every celebration of the Eucharist, especially the communion with Jesus, is an important and significant moment in our lives.
All of these signs and words of Jesus, and the disciples’ experience, show that Jesus truly lives after death and even eats with the disciples. The disciples’ experience showed that Jesus spoke and acted exactly as he did during his lifetime, and this experience gave them great hope to remain in the community and to convince and attract many new people.
That’s why, since the beginning of Christianity, they have set aside the Easter season especially for baptism. Baptism is an equally great joy not only for the parents and relatives, but also for the parish community, because in baptism, one is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit and belongs to Christ.
Fr Joseph Pandiappallil MCBS