The Way
Morning on the Shore of Tiberias
Love, asked three times beside a charcoal fire
Story
One day, back by the Sea of Galilee, Simon Peter said, I am going fishing. Thomas and Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples said they would go with him, and they got into the boat. All night they cast their nets, but caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, someone was standing on the shore.
When they did as he said and cast the net on the right side of the boat, so many fish were caught that they could not haul it in. The beloved disciple cried out to Peter, it is the Lord! Peter threw on his outer garment and jumped straight into the water. When they came ashore, there was fish on a charcoal fire, and bread as well. There were one hundred fifty-three large fish in the net they hauled up, and yet the net was not torn.
After breakfast, beside the charcoal fire, Jesus asked Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me? When the same question came a third time, Peter was hurt. Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you. Jesus said, feed my sheep. And follow me.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
Simon son of John, do you love me? Then feed my flock.
Follow me.
Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find fish.
Come and have breakfast.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Jn 21:1–25
Background
In John's Gospel the word for a charcoal fire appears only twice: in the courtyard of the high priest's house where Peter denied Jesus, and on this morning. Three denials are followed by three confessions of love.
Pause and Reflect
If the Lord asked me, "Do you love me?", what would I answer?