• In this Gospel, we see the amazing, loving way Christ resolves the “unfinished business” between him and St. Peter, the man he chose to head his fledgling Church. Recall that Peter had not so long before denied his Master three times, just as Christ had predicted.

• Our Lord and Peter must have had a private conversation in the minutes before Peter’s six companions got the fish-laden net dragged to shore. We have no idea what that conversation was about. I suspect it included Peter’s asking for and receiving forgiveness.

• When the others arrive, Our Lord enacts a living parable. He has breakfast ready for them and then asks them to make their own contribution to it. The fish they add to the charcoal fire were provided by Christ’s miracle and their labor.
• This was the Mandatum, or washing of feet at the Last Supper, in another form. I have fed you, now you go do the same for my followers. To it, Our Lord adds the note, Your efforts will be necessary but I will see it will be accomplished.

• After feeding his disciples out of love, Our Lord asks Peter three times if he loves him and then tells him to feed his lambs or sheep.

• In his thrice-repeated question and response, Christ was not rebuking Peter for denying him; after all, it was understandable weakness, and afterwards, Peter wept, cut to the heart.

• But Christ had chosen Peter to be his chief fisher of men. Just as Christ had originally “caught” Peter with a miraculous draught of fish, here he announces himself again to Peter with another miraculous catch, 153 fish, interestingly the same number of fish as there were nations, according to the Greek reckoning.

• Christ restores Peter’s leadership, making his mission utterly simple: “Feed my lambs.” Who are his lambs? Everyone, beginning with those who say yes to the Gospel.

• Christ says, in effect, “Peter, when you serve those over whom I have placed you, you are proving your love for me. And one day you will give up your life for me, just like I gave up my life for all of you.”