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Commentaries
English
John
  
9When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread.10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught."11So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.


When the disciples reached the shore, they saw a charcoal fire with the fish on top. So wherefrom was the fire, the fish and the bread? He called them from a distance of a hundred meters, for they had nothing to eat. On arrival, they found the fish grilled, and he urged them to have a meal. He is Lord and the host at the same time. He kindly gave them a share in preparing the food. He allows us to participate in his work and the produce. Had the disciples not obeyed his advice, they would have caught nothing. But here he is inviting them to take food. Surprisingly, the Lord who needs no earthly food, stoops down to share with them that food, for them to feel his affection.
The number 153 fishes refers, according to ancient tradition, to the number of kinds of fishes known at that time. It is as if Jesus is saying, "Do not fish for just one kind of humans, but come with a selection of all nations." All are bidden to enter God’s life. Just as the net did not break under pressure, so also the Church will not break up or lose the unity of the Holy Spirit, even if some of her members should remain selfish and loveless. The true Church will become his own and vital.