It is astonishing that the disciples, having seen the Risen Lord and been commissioned by Him besides having actually received the Holy Spirit (Jn. 20) are now simply fishing in Galilee, back in their homeground! In particular, Thomas who had had a special encounter with the Lord, whom he confessed to be 'Lord and God', now gave no evidence of having been changed dramatically.

A move from belief in the Risen Lord to action based on that belief cannot be taken for granted. The disciples who had come to believe in the Lord are now engaged in ordinary activity without any sign of transformation. Left to themselves they caught nothing all that night! At dawn with the Lord's presence and at His Word, they caught so many fish they could not haul in their net. The miraculous catch brought about recognition, just as Mary Magdelene (Jn. 20:16-17) recognised Him when He called her by name, or the 'beloved disciple' believed on the simple evidence of the garments in the tomb (Jn. 20:8).

Simon Peter's spontaneous love for His Master is revived before the charcoal fire. The Risen Lord continued his servant role serving them breakfast. The disciples are encouraged to bring in their "catch" . . . all of the humanity they would minister to in their mission, to the meal (Eucharist) prepared by the Lord.