EASTER FRIDAY 

Acts 4:1-12

Ps.117(118):1-2,4,22-27

John 21:1-14

Peter and John were on an extraordinary journey! They had encountered Christ’s powerful teachings, witnessed His awe-inspiring miracles, and felt the heart-wrenching moment as He was nailed to the Cross. But the most exhilarating part? Three days later, they celebrated as He rose triumphantly from the dead! They knew without a doubt that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, the living God’s Son, holding the very words of eternal life, light, truth, and love. Their hearts burned with hope, and with unwavering boldness and faith, they spread the exhilarating good news far and wide.

When Peter and John unleashed the power of Jesus’ name through an incredible miracle—a paralyzed man stood up and walked—the Jewish leaders were filled with fear. The number of disciples was soaring, and they arrested the apostles, dragging them before the Sanhedrin, the same council that condemned Jesus. But Peter, fearless and filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaimed boldly, "Let it be known to you and all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—Whom you crucified and Whom God raised from the dead—this man stands before you healthy! This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, and He has become the CORNERSTONE. There is salvation in no one else; there’s no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved!” 

Peter didn’t just suggest a way to salvation; he declared the ONLY way! Salvation is found in Christ alone, His sacrificial blood redeeming mankind from the impossible task of self-salvation. Oh, how blessed we are to be rescued from this unattainable quest! Through God’s grace, we have been given the incredible gift of salvation, simply by believing in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us revel in the magnificent name of JESUS and resist the deceptive chaos of the world, the temptations of the flesh, and the schemes of the enemy!

There’s a powerful song that says Christians will be known by our love. Today’s gospel passage ignites that truth! Jesus reveals His abundance—not in scarcity, but in piles of fish, an amazing breakfast He’s already prepared, an enduring Last Supper meal, gallons of rich wine, and overflowing baskets of bread! Picture this: the disciples had toiled through the night at the Sea of Tiberias and caught nothing. Just then, Jesus—unbeknownst to them—directs them to cast their nets once more. When they finally do, their nets overflow with an astonishing 153 fish! John, amidst the joyful chaos, exclaims, “It is the Lord!” His love for Jesus allowed him to see what others missed.

And Peter? He was unstoppable! Hearing it was Jesus, he didn’t hesitate—he tucked in his garments and dove into the water, swimming to shore with unwavering faith. Nothing could hold him back! If John embodied love, Peter radiated faith. He was the first to declare Jesus’ true identity, willing to step out of the boat to walk on water, and he never wavered, even when Christ’s teachings were challenging. “Lord, to whom shall we go?” he cried. “You have the words of eternal life!”

That’s the transformative power of love! When we’re in love, we constantly yearn for the one who holds our hearts. Just the sight of them approaching can send us soaring with excitement! The essence of that love for our Lord is beautifully captured in the Song of Songs, where the bride joyfully proclaims, "The sound of my lover! Here he comes, springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills.” 

St. Josemaria Escriva once declared, “With a love like John’s and a faith like Peter’s, what can stop us?” Living a life following Christ fills us with the confidence that the Holy Spirit continually reveals Christ’s remarkable abundance around us. So, let’s lace up our fishing boots and go out to catch all that we need! And let’s enjoy our breakfast with Jesus, knowing that He is alive! Yes! Jesus Christ is risen, and Alleluia is our anthem!