The Catholic Church: 153 Fish, 1 Net and 4 Marks

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn."

Q. Why does John say that the apostles caught 153 fish? What is the significance of that number? Also why does he add that the net was not torn?

A. This curious detail John records concerning the number of fishes (153) that were caught in the net thrown over the right side of Peter’s boat is not random. According to the church fathers it means something significant.

It was St.Jerome who is known for saying, “Ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ”. This 4th century church father and saint was also known for his translation of the Bible into Latin, what the Church calls the Vulgate. He, more than any other fourth century figure, really knew the Bible. In fact, he wrote commentaries on the whole Bible. So based on his own maxim, he knew Christ very well. He also has answers to the questions posed above.

In his commentary on Ezekiel 47:6-12 he wrote that Oppian's Halieutica lists 153 types of fish in the known world. Oppian was a second century Greco-Roman poet who wrote a lengthy epic on fishing. He was seen by Jerome and others as the authority in all matters related to fish and fishing.

Saint Jerome used Oppiian’s fishing knowledge to apply to today’s Gospel reading about the miraculous catch of 153 fish.

Catholic: Jerome made the point that this total of 153 represents all the nations from which God will gather the fish, symbolizing that believers will be gathered from all the nations in the world into the boat of Peter, the Church. The Church is catholic from the Greek, kata-holos meaning throughout the whole or universal.

One: What’s more, the net signifies the evangelization effort and missionary effort of the 'fishers of men' aided by God’s grace. The wholeness of the net which John points out ‘was not torn’ in spite of the enormous catch, signifies the unity of the Church. John's gospel was written in Greek. In John 21:11, the word used when it says that the net did not tear is the word 'schizo'. This is where we get our English word 'schism'. What Jesus wants us to know is that he intends his Church to be universal but at the same time one, catholic but with no schisms.

Holy: Jesus, as the founder and cornerstone of the Church, is the source of its holiness. Jesus gives specific instructions, 'throw the net over the right side of the boat'. When the Church listens to Christ and obeys miracles become a sign of its holiness. The Church is holy.

Apostolic: The 12 Apostles were to be the original ‘fishers of men’ speading the gospel message to the whole world. Entrusted with the deposit of faith as guardians and guides. The Church is apostolic.

The Church indeed is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.