I
was in Milan last Sunday and con-celebrated Mass with Fr Emil, SDB. Before the
Mass, Fr Giancarlo of the office for Migrants in Milan diocese gave a short
speech and reminder for the upcoming event in the diocese but before he did
that he greeted everyone ‘Buona Pasqua’
which is loosely translated in English as ‘Happy Easter.’ Loosely because he
said it was not the real translation of ‘Pasqua’ in English. The Catholic Bible edition never mentions ‘Easter’ but it does mention the Greek word Pascha which was derived from the Hebrew word Pesach which means Passover.
How the word Easter came about is a later reference to a Pagan celebration
named ‘Ishtar.’ Having this in mind I can only agree with Don Giancarlo for
reiterating the use of the word ‘Passover’ over ‘Easter.’ This is to highlight
the in-depth meaning and the point of the celebration – the resurrection of the
Lord!
We
are now on the the 3rd Sunday of Easter. Spring has finally come. We
are enjoying a whole week of sunshine here in Rome with a perfect temperature.
Everything around seems back into its gear – especially a lot of tourists fill
the streets and hot spots in Rome. Having experienced two winters here I can
really tell the difference. Spring is really a blessing. I thought this season of the year is very timely to
celebrate the Pasqua.
In
the Gospel, Jesus has once again (his third time) revealed himself to his
disciples and it happened at the lake of Tiberias (which is also known as the
Sea of Galilee and Lake Gennesaret). I would like to point out three things
about the Gospel:
1. The way Jesus revealed himself to
his disciples
In the Synoptic
Gospels (Mark 1.16-20, Matthew 4.18-22 and Luke 5. 1-11) Jesus called his first
disciples at the Lake of Galilee. They were fishermen which is one of the most
common jobs in the area at that time. However, Jesus intended to call these
fishermen to illustrate to them that they are later on to become ‘fishers of
men.’ They are to labor and catch souls for God. What is more interesting is
the manner by which he called them. There
were teaching and miracle before the calling. The intention perhaps is to
make their unhesitating response less surprising. The attention afterwards was
centered on their response, especially that of Peter. Interestingly, Mark and
Matthew highlighted that these fishermen upon hearing the calling of Jesus left
their nets at once and followed him. In Luke, Peter reasoned out as he obeyed
the Master to once again cast out the net (this occurred after Jesus taught the
crowds), and in humility asked the Lord to stay away from him as he admitted
that he is a sinful man (this happened after the miracle).
In the Gospel
today, almost the same scenario happened at the Lake of Tiberias. The disciples headed by Peter set out to fish
but that night they caught nothing. It was dawn when Jesus standing on the shore
asked them about the catch. He instructed them to cast out the net on the right
side of the boat which they did without hesitation and questioning and lo and
behold! The catch was plentiful. It was the beloved disciple who recognized and
told Peter that, ‘It is the Lord!’ Immediately Peter tucked himself and jump
into the sea to meet with the Lord. The reaction of Peter here reminds us how
contrasting his initial reaction when he witnessed the same miracle not so long
time ago. If his first reaction was to ‘stay away,’ this time he’s eager to be ‘near’
the Lord.
The calling of
Jesus is the same, even the manner by which we are invited. However, our
response differs and changes as we come to know and as we deeply attached
ourselves with the Lord.
2. The people whom Jesus called or
chosen
Our modern
society dictates that a religious garb no longer guarantees a person of true
discipleship nor modern appearance a criterion of a non-believer. Interestingly
no one can truly judge a person by its appearance except Jesus. He has the
eyes for the simple, often marginalized members of the society but most
especially Jesus recognizes their frailty and hardness of heart. Automatically,
he refers to every one of us.
In the Gospel,
John named the disciples in the scene (except the other two disciples with
them): Peter, Thomas called Dydimus, Nathanael from Cana Galilee (Bartolommeo),
and the sons of Zebedee (James and John). This expresses one thing: they share
the same calling and their share the same human qualities – of being impulsive
and denying the Lord (Peter), of doubting and putting the Lord in test
(Thomas), of belittling the Lord (Nathanael), of having the desire for power
and glory (Zebedee’s sons), and all of these combined and even more (the two
unnamed disciples which may represent you and me).
What is at stake
here is not our social status or educational attainment rather it is our
admission that the calling is from God; that it is a gift, a service and a commitment that
we need to accept, taken care of, diligently nurture and faithfully hold on
to. It is our willingness to learn and be formed that counts most to Jesus. He has the eyes to see that these
capabilities are in us. Do we see them in us? Do we allow ourselves to realize those?
3. The desire of Jesus to dine with us
He asked them to bring
some of the catch and have breakfast with them. It looks like one of those
ordinary meal invitations – by the shore, with bread and fish. But the essence
is not on the ambiance nor on the kind of food they have; not the ordinariness
of the day but the invitation which expresses that same desire from Him who
dined with them on the night of His passion. The meal is that extraordinary
moment Jesus seizes to remind them of his love, care and presence. That very same meal he offers us each time we celebrate and took part at the Holy Eucharist. That desire will never end. Do we desire to dine with him?
Fear has no
more poison; sin has no more damage and death has no more power over us. His
resurrection made that possible and he is revealing that truth to us. Our hope
will not be in vain just like the coming of springtime.
