Friday in the Octave of Easter
Lectionary: 265
Lectionary: 265
After the crippled man had been cured,
while Peter and John were still speaking to the people,
the priests, the captain of the temple guard,
and the Sadducees confronted them,
disturbed that they were teaching the people
and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
They laid hands on Peter and John
and put them in custody until the next day,
since it was already evening.
But many of those who heard the word came to believe
and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes
were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest,
Caiaphas, John, Alexander,
and all who were of the high-priestly class.
They brought them into their presence and questioned them,
“By what power or by what name have you done this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them,
“Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”
while Peter and John were still speaking to the people,
the priests, the captain of the temple guard,
and the Sadducees confronted them,
disturbed that they were teaching the people
and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
They laid hands on Peter and John
and put them in custody until the next day,
since it was already evening.
But many of those who heard the word came to believe
and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes
were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest,
Caiaphas, John, Alexander,
and all who were of the high-priestly class.
They brought them into their presence and questioned them,
“By what power or by what name have you done this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them,
“Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”
Responsorial
PsalmPS 118:1-2 AND 4, 22-24,
25-27A
R. (22) The
stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaPS 118:24
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 21:1-14
Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
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.
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
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.
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.
Meditation: "Jesus revealed himself again to the
disciples"
Why didn't the apostles immediately recognize the Lord
when he greeted them at the Sea of Tiberias? John gives us a clue. He states
that Peter had decided to return to his home district of Galilee, very likely
so he could resume his fishing career. Peter was discouraged and didn't know
what to do after the tragedy of Jesus' death! He went back to his previous
career out of despair and uncertainty. The other apostles followed him back to
Galilee.
The gift of faith opens our eyes to recognize the
risen Lord Jesus in our midst
When was the last time Peter was commanded to let down his net after a futile night of fishing? It was at the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Galilee when the Lord dramatically approached Peter in his fishing boat after a futile night of fishing and commanded him to lower his nets (see Luke 5:4-11). After the miraculous catch, Jesus told Peter that he would be 'catching people" for the kingdom of God. Now Jesus repeats the same miracle. John, the beloved disciple, is the first to recognize the Lord. Peter impulsively leaps from the boat and runs to the Lord. Do you run to the Lord when you meet setbacks, disappointments, or trials? The Lord is ever ready to renew us in faith and to give us fresh hope in his promises.
When was the last time Peter was commanded to let down his net after a futile night of fishing? It was at the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Galilee when the Lord dramatically approached Peter in his fishing boat after a futile night of fishing and commanded him to lower his nets (see Luke 5:4-11). After the miraculous catch, Jesus told Peter that he would be 'catching people" for the kingdom of God. Now Jesus repeats the same miracle. John, the beloved disciple, is the first to recognize the Lord. Peter impulsively leaps from the boat and runs to the Lord. Do you run to the Lord when you meet setbacks, disappointments, or trials? The Lord is ever ready to renew us in faith and to give us fresh hope in his promises.
Do you recognize the presence of the Risen Lord in
your life?
Skeptics who disbelieve the resurrection say the disciples only saw a vision of Jesus. The Gospel accounts, however, give us a vivid picture of the reality of the resurrection. Jesus went out of his way to offer his disciples various proofs of his resurrection - that he is real and true flesh, not just a spirit or ghost. In his third appearance to the apostles, after Jesus performed the miraculous catch of fish, he prepared a breakfast and ate with them. John's prompt recognition of the Master - It is the Lord! and Peter's immediate response to run to the Lord - stands in sharp contrast to Peter's previous denial of his Master during the night of Jesus' arrest. The Lord Jesus reveals himself to each of us as we open our hearts to hear his word. Do you recognize the Lord's presence in your life and do you accept his word with faith and trust?
Skeptics who disbelieve the resurrection say the disciples only saw a vision of Jesus. The Gospel accounts, however, give us a vivid picture of the reality of the resurrection. Jesus went out of his way to offer his disciples various proofs of his resurrection - that he is real and true flesh, not just a spirit or ghost. In his third appearance to the apostles, after Jesus performed the miraculous catch of fish, he prepared a breakfast and ate with them. John's prompt recognition of the Master - It is the Lord! and Peter's immediate response to run to the Lord - stands in sharp contrast to Peter's previous denial of his Master during the night of Jesus' arrest. The Lord Jesus reveals himself to each of us as we open our hearts to hear his word. Do you recognize the Lord's presence in your life and do you accept his word with faith and trust?
"Lord Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the
Life. Increase my faith in the power of your resurrection and in the truth that
you are truly alive! May I never doubt your life-giving word nor stray from
your presence."
Daily Quote for Easter Week: Resurrected Bodies, by Augustine of
Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The bodies of the righteous at the resurrection
will need neither any fruit to preserve them from dying of disease or the
wasting decay of old age nor any bodily nourishment to prevent hunger and
thirst. For they will be endowed with such a sure and inviolable gift of
immortality that they will not eat because they have to, but only if they want
to. Not the power but the necessity of eating and drinking shall be taken away
from them... just like our Savior after his resurrection took meat and drink
with his disciples, with spiritual but still real flesh, not for the sake of
nourishment, but in an exercise of his power." (excerpt from City of God 13.22)
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, JOHN 21:1-14
Friday within the Octave of Easter
(Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 118)
Friday within the Octave of Easter
(Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 118)
KEY VERSE: "It is the Lord!" (v.7).
TO KNOW: After the resurrection, Peter and six other disciples went fishing. In the half-light of the morning, the Risen Christ called to them from the shore, telling them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat. Although they had fished all night and caught nothing, their obedience brought forth a great draught of fish. John was the first to understand the meaning of this sign and cried "It is the Lord!" Peter was the first to act, swimming and dragging the heavily laden net to shore. Although the net held a great catch of fish it was not torn. The unbroken net is a symbol of the future mission of the Church to bring all souls to Christ. St. Jerome claimed that the Greeks identified 153 species of fish in the sea. The miraculous catch included every kind of fish; therefore, the number symbolized the day when all of the nations would be gathered together in God's kingdom. When Jesus' disciples assembled on the shore, he shared a meal with them, distributing bread and fish just as he did in the miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fish in the wilderness (Jn 6:1-13). The Risen Christ was not a vision or a spirit, nor was he a ghost. He was the Lord who conquered sin and death through his dying and rising.
TO LOVE: Do I allow the Lord to direct me despite doubts as to the outcome?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, guide all my words and deeds so that I will bring many souls to you.
Friday 6 April
2018
Easter Friday.
Acts 4:1-12. Psalm 117(118):1-2, 4, 22-27. John 21:1-14.
The stone rejected by builders has become the cornerstone—Psalm
117(118):1-2, 4, 22-27.
Breakfast by the lake.
This is the story of an Easter Friday breakfast by Lake
Wooroonook, central Victoria, years ago. Much preparation had been done; fish
wrapped in foil, dampers mixed for baking, billies packed and wood gathered for
the fire. We were remembering another Easter, and while we waited for the fish
to cook and billies to boil we read John 21:1-14, and sang songs to celebrate
the break of day and joy of Easter. We were an ecumenical group, a mixture of
old and young.
Just as Jesus had prepared the fire for the disciples, we too
had a faithful friend who had the fire burning and the grill ready for us as we
arrived by torchlight. There was a kind of stillness, a sense that Jesus was
with us too, as we celebrated this different kind of Eucharist. The Gospel
truly came alive for us that day. A special experience.
Saint Crescentia Hoess
Saint of the Day for
April 6
(October 20, 1682 – April
5, 1744)
Saint Crescentia Hoess’
Story
Crescentia was born in
1682, the daughter of a poor weaver, in a little town near Augsburg. She spent
play time praying in the parish church, assisted those even poorer than herself
and had so mastered the truths of her religion that she was permitted to make
her first Holy Communion at the then unusually early age of 7.
In the town she was called “the little angel.”
As she grew older, she
desired to enter the convent of the Tertiaries of Saint Francis. But the
convent was poor, and because Crescentia had no dowry, the superiors refused
her admission. Her case was then pleaded by the Protestant mayor of the town to
whom the convent owed a favor. The community felt it was forced into receiving
her, and her new life was made miserable. She was considered a burden and
assigned nothing other than menial tasks. Even her cheerful spirit was
misinterpreted as flattery or hypocrisy.
Conditions improved four
years later when a new superior was elected who realized her virtue. Crescentia
herself was appointed mistress of novices. She so won the love and respect of
the sisters that, upon the death of the superior, Crescentia was unanimously
elected to that position. Under her, the financial state of the convent
improved and her reputation in spiritual matters spread. She was soon being
consulted by princes and princesses; bishops and cardinals too sought her
advice. And yet, a true daughter
of Francis, she remained ever humble.
Bodily afflictions and
pain were always with her. First it was headaches and toothaches. Then she lost
the ability to walk, her hands and feet gradually becoming so crippled that her
body curled up into a fetal position. In the spirit of Francis she cried out,
“Oh, you bodily members, praise God that he has given you the capacity to
suffer.” Despite her sufferings she was filled with peace and joy as she died
on Easter Sunday in 1744.
She was beatified in 1900
and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2001. The Liturgical Feast Day for
Saint Crescentia Hoess is April 5.
Reflection
Although she grew up in
poverty and willingly embraced it in her vocation, Crescentia had a good head
for business. Under her able administration, her convent regained financial
stability. Too often, we think of good money management as, at best, a less-than-holy
gift. But Crescentia was wise enough to balance her worldly skills with such
acumen in spiritual matters that heads of State and Church both sought her
advice.
LECTIO DIVINA: JOHN 21,1-14
Lectio Divina:
Friday, April 6, 2018
Easter Time
1) OPENING PRAYER
Our God and Father,
through our risen Lord, Your Son Jesus Christ,
You have given us a message of hope
and a person to live for.
through our risen Lord, Your Son Jesus Christ,
You have given us a message of hope
and a person to live for.
Free our faith from triviality and
routine
and fill us with His Spirit of courage,
that we may learn to live
with the insecurities of the change of renewal
ever-demanded by the gospel
and by the needs of the times.
May our Christian living bear witness
to the name of Him by whom we are saved,
Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
and fill us with His Spirit of courage,
that we may learn to live
with the insecurities of the change of renewal
ever-demanded by the gospel
and by the needs of the times.
May our Christian living bear witness
to the name of Him by whom we are saved,
Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
2) GOSPEL READING - JOHN
21:1-14
Jesus revealed himself again to his
disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together
were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I
am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went
out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already
dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that
it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side
of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to
pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said
to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he
tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The
other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about
a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on
shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. 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. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they
realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to
them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was
revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
3) REFLECTION
• Chapter 21 of the Gospel of Saint John
seems like an appendix which was added after the Gospel had already been
written. The conclusion of the previous chapter (Jn 20:30-31) makes one suspect
that it is an addition. However, whether it is an addition or not, it is the
Word of God, which presents to us the beautiful message of the Resurrection on
this fifth day of Easter week.
• John 21:1-3: The fisherman of men returns to be a fisherman of fish. Jesus has died and has risen. After three years of life together with Jesus, the disciples returned to Galilee. A group of them find themselves together at the lakeshore. Peter goes back to the past and says: “I am going fishing!” The others answer: “We will come with you!” Thus, Thomas, Nathanael, John and James together with Peter go to the boat to go fishing. They go back to the life of the past as if nothing had happened. But something did happen. Something was taking place! The past did not return! “We have caught nothing!” They return to shore, tired. This had been a night filled with frustration.
• John 21:4-5: The context of the new apparition of Jesus. Jesus was on the shore, but they did not recognize Him. Jesus asks, “Little children, have you anything to eat?” They answer, “No!” In the negative response they realize that the night had been deceiving because they had caught nothing. They had been called to be fishermen of men (Mk 1:17; Lk 5:10), and they go back to be fishermen of fish. But something had changed in their life! The experience of three years with Jesus produces in them an irreversible change. It was no longer possible to return to the past as if nothing had happened, as if nothing had changed.
• John 21:6-8: “Throw the net out to the right of the boat and you will find something.” They did something which perhaps they had never done in their life. Five experienced fishermen obey a carpenter who orders them to do something which is in contrast to their experience. Jesus, that unknown Person, who is on the shore, orders them to throw the net on the right side of the boat. They obey; they throw the net, and behold the unexpected result. The net was full of fish! How was this possible? How to explain this surprise so unexpected, unforeseen! Love makes one discover. The beloved disciple says, “It is the Lord”. This intuition clarifies everything. Peter jumps into the water to get close to Jesus very quickly. The other disciples follow him, pulling the boat, and dragging the net full of fish.
• John 21:9-14: The kindness of Jesus. Coming ashore, they saw a charcoal fire which had been lit by Jesus, where He was roasting fish and bread. He asked them to take some of the fish they had caught, and immediately Peter went to the boat and towed the net containing one hundred and fifty-three fish. A great number of fish and the net did not break. Jesus calls the multitude, “Come and eat!” He had the kindness to prepare something to eat after a disappointing night during which they had caught nothing: a very simple gesture which reveals something of God’s love for us. “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, “Who are you?” because they knew He was the Lord. Recalling the Eucharist, John the Evangelist contemplates: “Jesus stepping forward took the bread and gave it to them.” Thus, he suggests that the Eucharist is the privileged place for the encounter with the Risen Jesus.
• John 21:1-3: The fisherman of men returns to be a fisherman of fish. Jesus has died and has risen. After three years of life together with Jesus, the disciples returned to Galilee. A group of them find themselves together at the lakeshore. Peter goes back to the past and says: “I am going fishing!” The others answer: “We will come with you!” Thus, Thomas, Nathanael, John and James together with Peter go to the boat to go fishing. They go back to the life of the past as if nothing had happened. But something did happen. Something was taking place! The past did not return! “We have caught nothing!” They return to shore, tired. This had been a night filled with frustration.
• John 21:4-5: The context of the new apparition of Jesus. Jesus was on the shore, but they did not recognize Him. Jesus asks, “Little children, have you anything to eat?” They answer, “No!” In the negative response they realize that the night had been deceiving because they had caught nothing. They had been called to be fishermen of men (Mk 1:17; Lk 5:10), and they go back to be fishermen of fish. But something had changed in their life! The experience of three years with Jesus produces in them an irreversible change. It was no longer possible to return to the past as if nothing had happened, as if nothing had changed.
• John 21:6-8: “Throw the net out to the right of the boat and you will find something.” They did something which perhaps they had never done in their life. Five experienced fishermen obey a carpenter who orders them to do something which is in contrast to their experience. Jesus, that unknown Person, who is on the shore, orders them to throw the net on the right side of the boat. They obey; they throw the net, and behold the unexpected result. The net was full of fish! How was this possible? How to explain this surprise so unexpected, unforeseen! Love makes one discover. The beloved disciple says, “It is the Lord”. This intuition clarifies everything. Peter jumps into the water to get close to Jesus very quickly. The other disciples follow him, pulling the boat, and dragging the net full of fish.
• John 21:9-14: The kindness of Jesus. Coming ashore, they saw a charcoal fire which had been lit by Jesus, where He was roasting fish and bread. He asked them to take some of the fish they had caught, and immediately Peter went to the boat and towed the net containing one hundred and fifty-three fish. A great number of fish and the net did not break. Jesus calls the multitude, “Come and eat!” He had the kindness to prepare something to eat after a disappointing night during which they had caught nothing: a very simple gesture which reveals something of God’s love for us. “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, “Who are you?” because they knew He was the Lord. Recalling the Eucharist, John the Evangelist contemplates: “Jesus stepping forward took the bread and gave it to them.” Thus, he suggests that the Eucharist is the privileged place for the encounter with the Risen Jesus.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Has it ever happened to you that
someone told you to throw the net to the right side of your life, to do
something contrary to your experience? Did you obey and throw in the net?
• The kindness of Jesus. How is your kindness in the small things of life?
• The kindness of Jesus. How is your kindness in the small things of life?
• Do you recognize Jesus only after
signs and miracles, or do you see Him in the simple acts of life, such as
making a meal?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
Give thanks to Yahweh for He is
good,
for His faithful love endures for ever.
Let those who fear Yahweh say,
“His faithful love endures for ever.” (Ps 118)
for His faithful love endures for ever.
Let those who fear Yahweh say,
“His faithful love endures for ever.” (Ps 118)
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