Miraculous Draught of Fish
Albrecht Bouts, 16th Century

My dear friends,

Today's passage from John 21:1-19 shows us the journey of Simon Peter — a man who evolves from a simple fisherman, experiences deep shame from his denial of Jesus, and ultimately takes on the mantle of being a shepherd for Christ's flock. This spiritual evolution is not dissimilar to the path of a Bodhisattva in Buddhism.

In the initial story of Simon's encounter with Jesus, as found in Luke 5:1-11, we see a miraculous catch of fishes. Here, following a miraculous catch of fishes, Jesus reveals to Simon a new purpose — not to catch fish, but to become a "fisher of men." It is a calling to elevate one's actions from the mundane to the sacred.

In Buddhism, we find a similar transformation in the life of a Bodhisattva. They begin as ordinary beings, with everyday worries and attachments. However, with a profound realization, they embark on a path towards enlightenment not just for themselves, but for the benefit of all sentient beings. The shift is from a life centered on self, to one dedicated to others.

However, spiritual paths are seldom straight. Just as Simon Peter, in a moment of fear, denies knowing Christ three times, even a Bodhisattva may falter in their vows. This symbolizes the human struggles we all face on our spiritual journeys. Moments of weakness, doubt, and denial are natural.

Yet, the beauty of the spiritual path, whether in Christianity or Buddhism, is not in never falling, but in the courage to rise again, to recognize our mistakes, and to move forward with renewed determination.

In today's reading, an epilogue to the Gospel of John, Simon Peter and some of the disciples have returned from hiding in Jerusalem to Galilee, possibly in response to the risen Christ's command to Mary Magdalene in Mark 16:7 to "go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.". Here they meet Jesus again on the shore of the Lake of Galilee, where he has called them from another miraculous catch, reminding us of Peter's first calling, and he invites them again to another miraculous meal of bread and fish, a reminder of Jesus' saying "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35).

Now there follows a moment of profound redemption for Simon Peter. With his threefold affirmation of love, he is not only forgiven his threefold denial, but given a new mission — to "feed my sheep." From being a fisher of men, he now evolves into a shepherd — a guide, protector, and nurturer of Christ's flock.

This mirrors the final resolve of Bodhisattvas, who, after recognizing their shortcomings, renew their vow to save all beings. They emerge stronger, wiser, and more compassionate, becoming guiding lights for all those lost in the darkness of suffering.

Jesus' final command to Simon Peter, "Follow me," carries a deep significance. It foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice that Simon Peter would make. Similarly, the Bodhisattva path is one of sacrifice, where one foregoes personal nirvana to remain in the world, alleviating the suffering of others.

The spiritual evolution of Simon Peter, from fisherman to shepherd, serves as a beacon of hope for all. It assures us that no matter the mistakes, no matter the falls, redemption and growth are always possible. Just as the Bodhisattva path teaches us about boundless compassion and relentless dedication to all sentient beings, Simon Peter's story reminds us of the transformative power of love, forgiveness, and divine calling.

Let us all strive to walk in these footsteps, continually evolving, embodying and serving the divine love and grace that is ever ongoing in us, around us and through us.