He Still Meets Us at the Shore

Third Sunday of Easter – John 21:1–19

By Mark Colville, Traveling Light Ministries

There’s something about breakfast with Jesus that stirs the soul.

This Sunday’s Gospel finds the disciples out fishing again, back to their old lives, maybe unsure what else to do after the crucifixion. They had already seen the Risen Christ, but things still weren’t clear. They were lost, tired, and probably grieving.

That’s when Jesus shows up—again—on the shore. They don’t recognize Him at first, but He calls out to them anyway. He tells them where to cast their nets. And when they obey, they catch so many fish they can barely haul them in. It’s only then that John says, “It is the Lord.”

What strikes me is how gentle Jesus is here. He doesn’t rebuke them for going back to their boats. He doesn’t demand that they understand the resurrection all at once. He simply meets them in the ordinary. He feeds them. He tends to their hunger.

And then He turns to Peter—the one who had denied Him—and asks, “Do you love me?” Not once, but three times. Each time Peter says yes, Jesus replies, “Feed my sheep.”

This Gospel isn’t just about the disciples. It’s about us. It’s about all of us who have failed, gone back to what’s familiar, or struggled to understand what God is doing. It’s about how Jesus comes to find us anyway, not to scold us, but to remind us of our calling—to love and to serve.

At Traveling Light Ministries, I’ve walked with many people who feel like they’ve failed or drifted too far from faith. Veterans, those grieving, LGBTQ+ individuals, and spiritual seekers from all walks of life. This Gospel reminds us that the journey of faith is not a straight line—and Jesus doesn’t wait until we get it right. He shows up on our shores, cooks us breakfast, and gently calls us back to love.

If you’re feeling unsure of where you stand in life or faith right now, know this: He still meets us at the shore. He still calls us by name. And there’s still a seat for you at His table.

In His Peace,

Fr. Mark Colville

Traveling Light Ministries

www.travelinglightmin.org