Homily on John 21:1–13 – When We Go Back Again, Jesus Comes Again

 Homily on John 21:1–13 – When We Go Back Again, Jesus Comes Again

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

Two sisters grew up in the same village. They dreamed of becoming religious sisters. They used to sit under the mango tree after school and talk about how they would serve the poor and pray like saints. Years later, both joined convents in different places. One day, one of them quietly left. No noise. No goodbye. Just disappeared.

A few months later, the other sister found her in the village, working in a shop. She had sadness in her eyes. “I tried,” she said, “I really tried. But something broke inside me. I felt dry. I was praying, but I felt nothing. I just wanted to go back to something familiar.”

The one who stayed didn’t preach. She just said gently, “Do you know? Even Peter went back fishing after meeting the Risen Lord.”

That story brings us to today’s Gospel. Peter says, “I am going fishing.” And the others follow. These are not people who do not know Jesus. They have seen the empty tomb. They have touched His wounds. Still, they go back. Why?

The word that stays with me today is “again.” Peter is fishing again. He is returning to something familiar. Something that once gave him meaning — before he met Jesus. Something he can understand. Something he can do without much thinking.

That is what many of us do when life gets confusing — we go back. Even after great retreats. Even after ordination. Even after our first vows. When the fire starts to fade, when doubts enter, or when we get tired — we go back, at least in our mind.

One provincial told me recently — two of their sisters left. They had once been full of joy, full of zeal. But over time, it dried up. The noise of duty drowned the silence of prayer. The cross became heavier than expected. No one noticed. And slowly, they returned — not just to the world, but to old dreams, old comforts, old ways of thinking.

But this Gospel gives us a great hope. Because even when Peter went back — Jesus came back again. He stood on the shore, just like the first time in Luke chapter 5. He spoke gently, “Children, have you caught anything?” And then He gave them the same miracle. The same overflowing net. As if to say — I still call you. I still believe in you. I am not tired of coming to you again.

That is the mercy of God. He doesn’t come just once. He comes again. And again. He meets us where we run to — even if it’s the wrong place. He cooks breakfast for tired hearts. He stands on the shore of our sadness and calls out.

Jesus did not stand with a stick. He stood with fire and fish. With warmth and welcome. He didn’t say, “You failed Me again.” He said, “Come and eat.” That is the heart of a shepherd — never tired of calling the lost sheep back home.

Some of us may feel like Peter. We love Jesus, but we are confused. We once gave our whole heart, but now we are unsure. We do our duties, but joy is missing. Maybe we even think of going back. But listen — Jesus is not tired of  us. He will come again. He will wait again. And He will call us by name again.

Even if we go back, Jesus will come again. That is love.

Lord, when I go back again, please come for me again.