Week 24 of the Church year
പുതുഞായറിനു ശേഷം ഒന്നാം ഞായർ
Peter goes back to fishing and catches nothing all night. At dawn a stranger on the shore tells them where to cast the net, and then cooks them breakfast.
Seven disciples go fishing on the Sea of Galilee and catch nothing. At dawn Jesus, unrecognised, tells them to cast on the right side. The net fills with 153 fish. John recognises him, Peter jumps into the water, and Jesus gives them bread and fish for breakfast.
The Sundays after Easter read the appearances of the risen Jesus. This is the third time he showed himself to the disciples.
The risen Lord meets his friends at work, after a failed night, and feeds them before he asks anything of them.
ഈ ഞായറാഴ്ചയുടെ വായനകൾ
Jesus asks Peter three times “do you love me?” and tells him to follow.
The risen Jesus fills the disciples’ nets and cooks them breakfast on the beach.
The sea returns over Pharaoh’s army, and Israel believes the Lord.
[NOTE: add once the reference is checked]
Love righteousness and seek the Lord with a sincere heart.
Paul preaches that God raised Jesus and did not let him see decay.
Put on the whole armour of God.
The risen Jesus fills the disciples’ nets and cooks them breakfast on the beach. This is the Gospel of the day.
Open in five scenesIsrael walks through the sea while the Egyptians drown, and the walls of Jericho fall. Paul preaches that God raised Jesus and did not let him see decay. Ephesians says to put on the whole armour of God.
References follow the official lectionary of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Your parish may read them in a different order.
Pick a scene to see what happens in it and what is easy to miss.
Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee and two others are by the Sea of Tiberias. Peter says: I am going fishing. They go with him and catch nothing all night.
After everything that has happened, Peter goes back to what he knows. Grief and confusion often send us home.
At dawn Jesus stands on the shore, but they do not know it is him. Children, have you any fish? No. Cast the net on the right side of the boat. They do, and cannot haul it in for the number of fish.
He calls these grown fishermen “children”. It is a tender word.
The disciple whom Jesus loved says to Peter: it is the Lord! Peter throws on his outer garment and jumps into the sea. The others follow in the boat, dragging the net.
John recognises him first; Peter reaches him first. Each disciple has his own gift.
On shore there is a charcoal fire with fish on it, and bread. Bring some of the fish you caught, says Jesus. Peter hauls the net ashore: 153 large fish, and the net is not torn.
The last charcoal fire in John was in the high priest’s courtyard, where Peter denied Jesus (John 18:18).
Jesus says: come and have breakfast. None of them dares ask who he is; they know it is the Lord. He takes the bread and gives it to them, and the fish too. This is the third time he appears to them after rising.
He takes bread and gives it to them, the same actions as at the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:11).
The verse to keep
“യേശു അവരോടു: വന്നു പ്രാതൽ കഴിച്ചുകൊൾവിൻ എന്നു പറഞ്ഞു; കർത്താവാകുന്നു എന്നു അറിഞ്ഞിട്ടു ശിഷ്യന്മാരിൽ ഒരുത്തനും: നീ ആർ എന്നു അവനോടു ചോദിപ്പാൻ തുനിഞ്ഞില്ല.”Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.
Peterപത്രൊസ്
Leads the others back to fishing and jumps into the sea to reach Jesus.
“Rock”
The disciple whom Jesus lovedയേശു സ്നേഹിച്ച ശിഷ്യൻ
Traditionally John, son of Zebedee. The first to recognise Jesus.
“—”
Nathanaelനഥനയേൽ
From Cana, the doubter who came and saw (John 1:46).
“God has given”
നീണ്ട രാത്രിക്കു ശേഷം ഒരു പ്രാതൽ
Peter has had a terrible few weeks. He denied Jesus three times, watched him die, and then saw him risen, without yet having a chance to put things right. So he does what many of us do when life is confusing: he goes back to work. He fishes all night and catches nothing.
At dawn, Jesus is waiting. He does not start with a lecture. He asks if they have eaten, tells them where to fish, and has a fire going with bread and fish already on it when they arrive. Before anything else is said, he feeds them.
There will be a hard conversation next Sunday. Jesus will ask Peter three times if he loves him. But it comes after breakfast. That is worth remembering in our own homes. When someone has had a long night, the first thing they may need is a warm meal and a kind word, and the rest can follow.
കുടുംബമായി സംസാരിക്കാം
When have you worked hard and got nowhere? Did anyone help you see things differently?
Two minutes after the audio. Everyone gets a turn, and nobody is interrupted.Make breakfast or a meal for someone in your family who has had a hard week, before asking them anything.
Risen Lord, you waited on the shore after a long night and fed your tired friends. Meet us when our nets are empty, show us where to cast them, and feed us at your table. Amen.
The whole year
Every Sunday of the Church year, season by season: readings, the Gospel and a question for the family.
Sunday 3 of 7 in Kyomtho