which were

one hundred and fifty-three. Seeing in this abundant catch an indubitable miracle, the Evangelist says:

and with such a multitude the snare was not broken (John 21:10-11).

When the Apostles pulled out the net, Jesus said to them:

Come, have lunch. And it came to pass, when they came to the place where the baked fish lay on the coals, that Jesus also came thither, and took the bread and the fish, and gave it to them.

and no one dared to ask Him, "Who art thou?" Yes, this question would have been superfluous, since they already knew

that it is the Lord (John 21:12).

Peter's Restoration to the Apostleship

The silence was broken by Jesus Himself, who asked Peter:

Simon Jonin! Do you love Me more than they do? Peter realized that this question also contained a reminder of his own words:

if all be offended in Thee, I shall never be offended (Matt. 26:33). He also remembered his threefold renunciation that followed, and

repentance; therefore he no longer answered, "Yes, I love Thee more than all," but answered with humility thus,

God! You know I love You.

"Feed my lambs," Jesus said to him.

After his renunciation of Christ, Peter, in spite of his sincere repentance, washed with tears, had to feel his sin, he had to realize that he was deprived of that trust of the Lord, without which it is impossible to be His Apostle, a preacher of His teaching. It was necessary to receive forgiveness, it was necessary to be restored to the apostolic calling, and restored by Christ Himself. That is why Jesus does not ask all the Apostles "Do you love me?" That is why He does not say to all the Apostles, "Feed My lambs," but only to Peter. The commission to shepherd the flock of Christ was given to all the Apostles; this is evident both from Jesus' previous addresses to them, and from His last words spoken before His Ascension into heaven. Therefore, if it is now given to Peter, it is only to show that he is forgiven and restored in his apostleship.

Jesus asks Peter for the second time: