THE RISEN CHRIST APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES

THE RISEN CHRIST APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES
The Risen Christ, the Master appeared to His disciples on the Lake of Tiberias, or, the Sea of Galilee, whilst they were toiling, trying to catch some fish. They were unlucky. Sorry, no fish today.

The curious thing is that all fishermen fishing on the lake, never went out in the deep … they only ventured a few metres from the shore, as indicated in the Gospel Narrative. In their culture, the sea represented the abode of the monster of the deep.
Now, though they were trying their utmost, they were unlucky. But the Author of the Fourth Version of the Gospel, being a fisherman himself, son of the trade, son of Zebedee, knew the tricks of the trade. In fact he mentions that the stranger on the shore … who later they discovered, was Jesus, was sort of acting as a guide for the fishermen from the shore, as to where they should throw their nets.

It is a curious fact that from on the boat, they could not see, or gauge where the shoal of fishes was, but anyone on the shore could see more and better than those on the boat proper. This guide, who was Jesus, told them to cast their nets to the right, and, Lo and Behold, they caught quite a good catch.

Now was this a miracle ? Because as historical facts show, Jesus could see where the fishes were. Well, but we must admit, that it must have been a miracle, once we shall learn all the details.

As we know Peter, the master-fisherman, recognized the Master, and wanted to be the first one to go and greet Him. But, as the Gospel tells us, he was naked. Now, as I have already explained before, the term ‘naked’ means he was wearing the loin cloth … Peter never wore ‘boxer shorts’. That was customary for all fishermen to work with as little clothes on, as possible. Now the reason for wanting to put on his cloak or tunic on, was because according to the Jewish Law, every Greeting is considered to be a Religious Rite, and to participate in a Religious Rite, one has to be properly dressed.

Now we come to the fact that John mentioned that the catch consisted of 153 fishes. Knowing John’s style of writing, the fact that in his version every word counts, every word has a deep meaning, one is bound to ask, ‘Why on earth, has John included the number of fishes caught ?’ sort of, what importance does it bear on the message of the Gospel ? You expect such a detail from the Synoptists … but not from John.

We might be tempted to answer that question by saying that the only aim was so that the catch could be shared equally amongst the fishermen present. BUT, the fishes were not all of the same size. That is why I am saying ‘fishes’ and not ‘fish’. To be fairly distributed they had to be weighed .. irrespective of the number they had caught. So that reason is ruled out.
WE have the interpretation of St.Cyril of Alexandria. He tells us that 153 is made up of 100, 50 and 3. Now, in Numerology, 100 represents fullness, so here it represents ALL the pagans, the gentiles. The 100 is also quoted by Matthew (18/12). Then, one day ALL the pagans will follow Christ.
The 50 represents the remnants, of the Jewish people who accepted Jesus and His teachings, whilst the 3, represents the Trinity, to whose Glory, we offer up everything.
St.Augustine gives a different interpretation to the 153, which is made up of 10, representing the Law (Commandments), and the 7, representing grace (the Gifts of the Holy Spirit). Now, counting 10 to 7 we get 17. If we had to count all the digits from 1 to 17, the total would be 153. Augustine’s message is that all will be saved who observe, the Law and through Grace.

St.Jerome gives a simpler interpretation. According to Jerome 153 represents the different kinds of fishes found in the Sea of Galilee. So according to him, all people, from wherever they come, all classes, all races will one day be saved in the net. AND, I must say, that this WAS the MIRACLE, that on that day they managed to catch all the different types of fish … according to St.Jerome’s interpretation.

Referring to St.Jerome’s interpretation of the catch of 153 fishes (not fish, as they were all different types), we have to give honour to whom honour is due; that is to Peter. He was the Master fisherman, it was Peter who drew in the net, and not one single fish was lost.

That means his ability to draw in the net, always with the help of his helpers, and because the net was of the best quality. The net did not get torn, notwithstanding the great catch, it withstood the weight and quantity of the fish. The net is a symbol of the Church.