Have you ever had a moment when things didn’t go the way you planned, and you just wanted to go back to something familiar?
I believe that’s where the disciples are in this Gospel. Jesus had risen from the dead, but they still didn’t quite know what to do next. So Peter says, “I’m going fishing,” basically going back to what he knows. The others follow. It’s like when we’ve been part of something meaningful—like a retreat, a project, or a team—but then it ends, and we feel lost and maybe a bit sad. We have to go back to our routines.
But even though they fish all night, they catch nothing. It’s a reminder that without purpose—or without listening to God’s direction—we can feel like we’re working hard but getting nowhere.
Then Jesus shows up. Not with lightning or a huge miracle, but just standing on the shore. He tells them to try something new—cast the net on the right side. They listen, and suddenly, they’re overwhelmed with success. That moment when they recognize him—it’s a mix of surprise, joy, and awe.
And then comes breakfast. Think about that—Jesus, the risen Son of God, makes them breakfast. It’s so human, so kind. He meets them not with judgment, but with food and warmth. That’s what God does for us, too. He shows up in ordinary moments, and reminds us we’re still loved, still called.
But the part with Peter is especially powerful. Remember, Peter had denied Jesus three times. Now Jesus asks him three times: “Do you love me?” It’s not to shame him—it’s to restore him. With each answer, Peter is given a mission: “Feed my sheep.”
In other words: “Take care of others. Be who I called you to be.”