Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary’s of the Lake:

Do you still remember a post-Resurrection story of the Great Catch of fish as recorded in John 2?  Basically, St. Peter and a few other Apostles got into the boat & went out fishing. Unfortunately, that night they caught nothing. At dawn, Jesus was on the shore; but the disciples did not recognize Him. After asking them a few questions, Jesus told them to cast the net over the right side of the boat. They cast the net, and amazingly, a Great Catch! They were not able to pull it in because of the large amount of fish. Through ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ they recognized that it was the Lord who directed them toward the amazing catch of 153 large fish.  Is there a significance for #153? It could very well be that the catch had to be shared out among various partners, and that the (exact) number was recorded simply because it was so exceptionally large. However, in a commentary on John’s Gospel, William Barclay points out 3 special suggestions:

1.-  According to St. Cyril of Alexandria #153 is made up of 3 things: First, there is 100, which represents ‘the fullness of the Gentiles,’ who will be gathered in to Christ.” Second, there is 50, which stands for the remnant of Israel, who will also be gathered in. Third, there is the 3, which stands for the Trinity --to those whose glory all things are done.

2.-  St. Augustine has another explanation. According to him # 10 is the number of the Law, for there are 10 Commandments; #7 is the number if Grace, for the gifts of the Spirit are sevenfold.  Now 7+10 makes 17; and 153 is the sum of all the figures, 1+2+3+4..., up to 17. Thus 153 stands for all those who either by Law or by Grace have been moved to come to Christ..

3.-  The simplest of the explanations was given by St. Jerome. He said that in the sea there are 153 kinds of fishes; and that the catch is one which includes every kind of fish, and that therefore the number symbolizes the fact that some day all people of all nations will be gathered together to Jesus.

Reflecting on the 3 above explanations, we also need to note a further point: The Great Catch of fishes was gathered into the net; and the net held them all and was not broken. The net is seen as standing for the Church. If we follow the instruction of our Lord, He will empower us to have a great catch; and there is always room in the Church for all people of all nations. In other words, the story of the Great Catch can be seen as a vivid yet subtle way to teach us of the universality of the Church.  Every Sunday, in our Creed (Profession of Faith) we proclaim the 4 marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. ‘catholic’ is indeed ‘universal’ –which means ‘for all’! 

 

Fr. Philip