💖 HOMILY - APRIL 10 💖

First Reading - Acts 4:1-12

Gospel - John 21:1-14

Sometimes, after moments of great hope or deep encounter with God, we find ourselves going back to our old routines, unsure of what to do next. We may have experienced faith, but life seems to return to the ordinary. It is in such moments that the Risen Jesus Christ comes to meet us—not in extraordinary places, but in the midst of our daily lives—and gives new direction and purpose.

In the first reading, we see Peter the Apostle and John the Apostle standing courageously before the authorities. They are questioned about the healing of the lame man. Without fear, Peter proclaims that it is by the name of Jesus that the man was healed. He boldly declares that Jesus, whom they crucified, is the cornerstone, and that “there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

This is a remarkable transformation. The same Peter who once denied Jesus now stands fearless before leaders. The Resurrection has given him courage, clarity, and conviction. He is no longer afraid to witness to the truth.

In the Gospel, we find the disciples returning to fishing. After all that has happened, they seem unsure of their next step. They fish all night but catch nothing. Their efforts are empty.

Then, at dawn, Jesus appears on the shore—though they do not recognize Him at first. He tells them to cast the net on the right side, and suddenly their nets are filled. In that moment, the beloved disciple recognizes Him: “It is the Lord.” Simon Peter immediately jumps into the water to go to Him.

Jesus then invites them to share a meal. He does not scold them for returning to their old ways. Instead, He gently leads them back, reminding them that without Him, their efforts are fruitless, but with Him, everything becomes abundant.

Dear friends, these readings speak to us about mission and dependence on God.

Like the disciples, we may sometimes feel lost or return to old habits. We may try to live our lives relying only on our own strength, only to find emptiness and frustration. But Jesus comes to us, often quietly, inviting us to trust Him again.

The miracle of the catch teaches us a simple truth: without Christ, our efforts remain empty; with Him, they bear fruit. We are called to listen to His voice and follow His guidance, even when it does not make immediate sense.

At the same time, like Peter in the first reading, we are called to be courageous witnesses. Faith is not something to be hidden. We are called to proclaim, through our lives and words, that Jesus is our Savior.

The meal shared with Jesus reminds us of the Eucharist, where the Risen Lord nourishes us and strengthens us for our mission. It is there that we recognize Him more clearly and receive the grace to follow Him.

May we learn to recognize the presence of the Risen Lord in our daily lives. May we trust Him in all that we do. And may we, like the apostles, become bold and faithful witnesses, proclaiming that there is no other name by which we are saved except the name of Jesus.