Again we see how generous Jesus is. The disciples don’t just catch a few fish, they catch 153 large tilapia (also known as Peter’s fish). It’s fun to imagine this scene and the feelings contained in it. The disciples may have felt disappointed after a night of work with no catch. This is their livelihood and they need to feed themselves and their families. They may also have felt frustration and a sense of futility at being told to try again. 

After working all night, I’d be tired and want to go home to sleep off my aggravation at not catching any fish. I don’t think I’d want to try again. But they did try again and their joy and incredulity at this beyond bountiful catch must have been so fun for Jesus to see. It wasn’t until I watched the TV series The Chosen and saw the happiness on Jesus’ face when he performed miracles that I realized that He finds joy in our excitement and joy. Peter is so excited he jumps into the sea to go to his Savior. Even though this was their third encounter with the risen Lord, they are still exuberant. 

We too experience this array of emotions in our spiritual life. There are times when life is hard and we feel like God is far from us, times when we aren’t successful in what we attempt and feel like a failure. Then Jesus comes and lavishes His abundant love on us and we are joyful. We are reminded of how much we need Him and must rely on Him. 

I believe that in those times He smiles because He sees us reach out to Him and allow Him to help. It’s good to have a Savior who never tires of helping us. Every time we encounter Him, whether it’s the first time or the four hundredth, we are excited and delighted. He is so good!

Contact the author

Daily Reading

 

Saint of the Day

 

Saint Hunna

Saint Hunna, “the Holy Washerwoman,” washed and cared for the poor in Strasbourg, earning her name through her noble acts of service.
The post Saint Hunna appeared first on uCatholic.

© 2025 Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church | San Diego, CA Privacy Policy Made with by Diocesan