WE SHALL ALL BE ONE
Science and Math were my favorite subjects in grade school. I really loved numbers and would drool on matters concerning science. Astronomy was one particular subject I was hooked on as a kid. I grew up using mnemonics to help me remember the names of the planets — “My Very Earnest Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles.” The first letter of each word represents the planets in their proper order, from the nearest to the farthest from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. But since Pluto was reduced to a dwarf planet, the number was reduced to eight in 2006. So I would have to think of a new mnemonic.
There is a remarkable detail that is mentioned by John in today’s Gospel that may interest us. When John tells the story of the first breakfast that Jesus shares with His Apostles, He says, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went on board and hauled the net to land, full of large fishes, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and, although there were so many of them, the net was not broken.” William Barclay says that John wouldn’t give the definite number 153 without it meaning something.
St. Jerome provides a very interesting and simple explanation: During the time of Jesus, there were only around 153 known species of fish. Hence, to say that the catch gathered 153 fishes is to say that all kinds of fishes in the sea were “represented” in that bountiful catch. We know how John’s writings are filled with so many symbols and veiled meanings. The bountiful catch points to all men in all the nations that will be gathered into one Church. The net doesn’t break even with the large catch because this Church is big enough to welcome all. There is plenty of room for everyone.
This is of course a very empowering truth. It speaks of how eventually we shall all be one. That no matter how we differ now, we shall eventually share the same future. We shall all be gathered into one under the Kingship of Christ. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How is your family or community life? Do the members have differences and conflicts? Trust in the Lord’s way of uniting everyone under Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray for unity and peace in my family, in my community, in my country, in the world.
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