From Fisherman to Shepherd: The Model of the First Pope

Today’s gospel passage describes the transition of Peter from a fisherman to a shepherd through the graceful call of Jesus (John 21: 1-19). As fishermen, he and his six companions worked all night but caught nothing. At the break of dawn, we can imagine their disappointment as the only thing filling their submerged nets was the rays of the rising sun. 
Then the risen Son appeared on the beach inviting them to “cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” Indeed! Their net is stunningly filled with so many fish that they cannot even pull it into the boat! They realize that “It is the Lord!” and Peter jumps into the sea toward Jesus, while the others drag the net through the water towards the beach. 

When Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you just caught,” Peter “dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.” This was the total number of fish species known at the time. It signifies the plan of Jesus to save all people through the Church. As Peter pulls this great net ashore, he appears to be quite the fisherman! But he knew that this was only possible through the grace of Jesus.
As the rising sun warmed their hearts, the risen Lord already had fish and bread prepared for them on a charcoal fire and said, “Come, have breakfast.” Then Jesus “took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish.” Surely, this triggered their memory of the last time Jesus gave them bread, the bread of his Body which was given up for them. And as they shared this meal around a charcoal fire, another memory simmered in Peter’s conscience, which Jesus came to heal.

“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Jesus asked him three times.
“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” he replied three times.
“Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep.”

Jesus did not mention the three times Peter denied him while standing by a charcoal fire at night (cf. John 18: 15-18, 25-27). Because the instant it happened Jesus looked at him with love, and Peter “went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22: 61-62). He repented and Jesus already forgave him. That night had passed, and this new morning “the sun of righteousness” arose “with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2). Jesus came to heal Peter’s heart by rekindling his love. And he comes to rekindle his love in each of us. For Peter and for us it is divine love that heals, transforms and empowers.

The first pope was not perfect. He wept bitterly over his sins, then jumped into the healing waters toward Jesus. He knew that he could not catch a single fish without the grace of the Lord; neither could he follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd without his grace. In the end, he was willing to stretch out his hands and let someone else dress him and lead him where he did not want to go. He fell down, got back up and followed Jesus in the full surrender his life.

St. Peter’s journey from fisherman to shepherd led him to be the first Bishop of Rome, the first Pope. His greatest attributes have become a model for his successors. Pope Francis knew he was a sinner, but Jesus looked upon him with merciful love and called him to feed his lambs and tend his sheep. He did his best unto his dying breath to love the sheep with the heart of the Good Shepherd. As we pray that the Lord welcomes him into his eternal pastures, let us also pray for our Cardinals gathered for the conclave. May the Holy Spirit enlighten them with the grace to recognize the one among them whom Jesus is calling to tend his sheep as the next successor of St. Peter.