Today's gospel speaks to us of the need for healing in the life of a disciple.  It was just a few days before that Peter and the other apostles had witnessed the Risen Lord.  Still, they were depressed and feeling very much alone.  Simon Peter breaks the ice by announcing that he is going back to fishing.  When we are stressed out and depressed we want to go back to the way things were.  The other disciples decided to join him.  All night long they caught nothing.  Our lives are never the same once we meet the Lord. 

            Just after dawn the Lord appeared on the shore and told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat.  Remember when Jesus first met Peter and the sons of Zebedee, he told them the same thing and they made their first miraculous catch?  John remembered and he told Peter, "It's the Lord!"  Totally in character Peter threw on his clothes, leapt into the water and swam to the Lord. 

            By the time Peter and the others arrived at the shore Jesus had already prepared a fire and was cooking some fish.  "Come and eat your meal," Jesus told them.  Even after the Passion and Resurrection Jesus remained first and foremost the one who ministered and cared for others.

            After the meal, the real healing began.  Jesus looked at Peter, standing next to the fire, and asks him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"  Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved him.  Finally, Peter was brought to tears, the healing had begun.  Just as Peter denied the Lord three times by a fire, Jesus gave him three opportunities to affirm his love and desire to follow the Lord.  There would be no more fishing for Peter.  From then on he would truly be a fisher of men.