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Does that puzzling number have any special significance?

April 26, 2017baptism beloved disciple father pat mccloskey o.f.m. fish infants puzzling significance special

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Does that puzzling number have any special significance?

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St. Jerome suggested that 153 was the total number of fish species, according to knowledge at the time of Jesus. If that is true, this number would emphasize that the Good News is to be preached to all peoples on earth. We may think that is already obvious, but as we read in Acts of the Apostles (especially chapters 10 through 15) and elsewhere in the New Testament, there were significant tensions when the Good News was preached to gentiles as well as to Jews. No explanation of the 153 fish has found universal acceptance. If you have a question for Father Pat, please submit it here. Include your street address for personal replies enclosing a stamped, self-addressed envelope, please. Some answer material must be mailed since it is not available in digital form. You can still send questions to: Ask a Franciscan, 28 W. Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.