Throw yourself with Thomas at the Feet of Jesus, and worship Him as your Lord and your God. If Jesus is your God, His doctrine is divine truth, and His Church is a divine institution. Keep a firm hold on your holy Catholic Faith, and pray to God to increase your faith, and to make it more firm and living.
Chapter LXXXII.
JESUS APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES BY THE SEA OF GALILEE,
AND CONFERS UPON PETER THE PROMISED SUPREMACY.
[John 21, 2 — 17.]
At the command [1] of their Lord, the apostles left [2] Jerusalem and went into Galilee.
“There were together Simon Peter and Thomas, who is called Didymus, and Nathanael, who was of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter saith to them: ‘I go a fishing.’ They say to him: ‘We also come with thee.’ And they went forth and entered into the ship, and that night they caught nothing. When the morning was come Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus, therefore, said to them: “Children, have you any meat?” They answered Him: “No!” He saith to them: “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find.” They cast therefore; and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fish. Then John said to Peter: “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard this, he cast himself into the sea, and swam to the shore. But the other disciples came in the ship, dragging the net with the fishes. On the land they saw hot coals lying, and a fish laid thereon and bread[3]. Jesus saith: “Bring hither the fishes which you have now caught.” Peter went up, and drew the net to land with one hundred and fifty-three great fishes in it, and yet the net was not broken. Jesus saith: “Come and dine”; and He giveth them first bread and then fish.
- ↑ The command. Conveyed to them by the pious women (chapter LXXVII).
- ↑ Left. The apostles' work was not to begin till after the Descent of the Holy Ghost; meanwhile they turned to their former occupation as fishermen.
- ↑ Bread. This meal had been miraculously prepared by our Lord, in the exercise of the same omnipotent will which had produced the wonderful draught of fishes.
