The risen Lord asked the disciples to go to Galilee, where they would see Him (Matthew 28:10). The disciples returned to their home in Galilee, and Simon Peter invited six fellow disciples to go fishing with him. Though they tried hard the entire night, they caught nothing. Despite being experienced fishermen and using all possible methods, they were unsuccessful and returned tired and hungry. As they approached the shore, they saw someone standing there—whom they initially mistook for a stranger or a fellow fisherman. He called out to them and asked them to cast their net to the right side of the boat. They obeyed, and to their amazement, they caught 153 large fish. It was then that Simon Peter realized who the stranger truly was.

By the time they reached the shore, Jesus had already prepared the place. He had arranged seating, lit a fire, baked fresh bread, and invited the disciples to have breakfast. The risen Lord served them with love and care, as only He could. Jesus surely had several important questions He could have asked them—such as: Why did they desert Him on the night of His arrest (Maundy Thursday)? Why did Peter act aggressively and cut off the ear of the servant Malchus? Why did Peter deny Jesus three times despite being forewarned? Why did they return to fishing, despite their calling to be fishers of men?

These were all valid questions. Yet Jesus did not confront Peter. Instead, He gently asked, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” (John 21:17). He repeated the same question three times. Peter responded casually the first two times, but the third time deeply moved him, as he was reminded of his three denials. Jesus then commissioned him with the words, “Feed my sheep.”

The lesson Peter learned that day was profound: the ministry he would undertake was to be rooted not in status (the senior and an important disciple), income, or fame, but in his love for the risen Lord. The risen Lord continues to love and serve us today, even in the midst of our failures. He desires our love and calls us to express it by serving others.

May the dear Lord help us grow in love for Him and become effective servants in this world. God bless!

This coming Sunday, we will discuss how Jesus’ breakfast meeting with the disciples was arranged and how He re-commissioned Peter for his mission. We will also reflect on the lessons this event offers for our Christian journey.