The best one I have heard is that it is a pre-figuring of the Rosary somehow- 150 Ave's plus 3 in the Introduction prayers
Does anyone have info or an opinion of this? It has always made me wonder.
I think the Rosary is the best explanation. Also consider what PETER IN PARTICULAR catching fish signifies. "Henceforth you shall catch men." And how are conversions made? By prayer and sacrifice. The Rosary is one of the main prayers by which graces are won -- including conversions to the Faith.
Seems like too much to be a coincidence.
This miracle took place AFTER the Resurrection, so it was after the Redemption was complete -- along with Mary's role in it. Her merits, earned during those trying days, were locked in as it were -- she had achieved God's will for her, completed it, it was all past tense at that point -- and that wouldn't be taken away from her.
Mary is humble, and took a humble role in the early Church. But how does God deal with the humble? He exalts them. The Holy Ghost, Who inspired every word of Holy Scripture, seems to be showing His love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and honoring her future role as Queen of Heaven and Earth -- mєdιαtrix of All Graces. Along the lines of "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Because 153 is precisely the number of Hail Marys in the full Rosary. You pray the intro 3 (for an increase of Faith-Hope-Charity) then the 15 mysteries, Hail Holy Queen, ending prayer, etc. and the Rosary is complete.