May 4, 2025 – The Third Sunday of Easter, Year C
John 21:1-19
Rev. Misa Furumoto
Good morning, and Happy Easter to you all!
Although I was serving at a different church on Easter Sunday, I heard that the service here was absolutely beautiful—147 people in attendance, with the joyful celebration of baptisms for three adults and one baby. What a wonderful blessing! Thank you to everyone who came to the 10:30 service and helped make it such a meaningful day.
I think it’s lovely to occasionally have joint services with both our English and Japanese congregations. We’ve started doing something similar with our Sunday School, now called *Sunday Kids Rainbow*. Twice a year, we come together for a special worship service called *“Minna de Sasageru Reihai”*—which means *“a worship service for everyone.”*
Next Sunday will be one of those special days. Although there won’t be a Holy Communion, we’ll have a *“sharing of God’s grace”* instead. Everyone is welcome—baptized or not, adults or children, Japanese or non-Japanese. We’ll gather together to praise God and share bread and grape juice as a symbol of God’s abundant grace, equally given to each of us. So if you’re free, please join us again next week at 10:30 a.m. We’d love to see you.
Now, let’s turn to today’s Gospel reading.
This passage is one of those mysterious, dream-like scenes from the resurrection stories—Jesus appearing to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, also known as the Sea of Galilee.
Peter and the others had gone out fishing at night. They toiled through the darkness but caught nothing—not even a single fish. Then, as dawn broke, Jesus appeared on the shore, though veiled by the morning mist. The disciples didn’t recognize Him. Jesus called out to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered, “No.” He then said, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat.” And when they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the great number of fish. Suddenly, they knew—it was the Lord.
What a mysterious and powerful moment.
I’ve often wondered: Why the *right* side of the boat? What meaning might be hidden in that simple instruction?
Not long ago, I heard a reflection on this passage by a Catholic priest I deeply respect. His interpretation moved me, and I’d like to share it with you.
Perhaps the disciples had spent the entire night casting their nets to the *left* side. Why? Because their experience as lifelong fishermen told them that was the best side. It was what they *knew*. It was logical. It made sense. They didn’t even consider trying the other side—they were so sure they were doing the right thing.
Isn’t that familiar?
So often in life, we hold on tightly to what we think is right. We stick with what we know, and we don’t even consider there might be another way. We become stuck, not out of laziness, but out of certainty. We don’t change—not because we’re rebellious—but because we’ve never even *thought* of changing.
One example from my own experience is the worship service I mentioned earlier—the one for everyone. Like many churches, we always assumed it was better to separate worship between adults and children. Mixing the two, we thought, would only frustrate the adults and confuse or bore the children.
Another example: We’ve long believed that if a priest is present, we must have Holy Communion every Sunday. That’s our Anglican tradition. And if someone isn’t baptized? Well—they can’t receive Communion. That’s just how it is. They can receive a blessing instead. And if they want to receive Communion? They should just keep coming, and eventually prepare for baptism. That’s how we’ve always done it. No change. No questions.
But then I asked myself: What would *Jesus* do if He were here today?
He welcomed children when His disciples tried to keep them away. He invited sinners—people considered unworthy—even to His own table. That’s the Jesus we follow. So why are we doing the opposite?
So, we tried something new.
Last May, and again in November, we held a service where everyone—adults, children, long-time members, and first-time visitors—gathered together. We shared God’s grace, and the good news of Jesus reached everyone. And just like the disciples on the boat, we were overwhelmed by the blessings we received. The “net” was full.
There are so many things in life we fear or never consider simply because they lie outside our expectations. But when we stop listening only to ourselves—and start listening for Jesus’ voice—we may hear Him saying, *“Cast your net on the right side.”* And when we do, we may discover a new world we never imagined—perhaps even a glimpse of the kingdom of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
