Third Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 48
Lectionary: 48
When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
"We gave you strict orders, did we not,
to stop teaching in that name?
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man's blood upon us."
But Peter and the apostles said in reply,
"We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles
to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
"We gave you strict orders, did we not,
to stop teaching in that name?
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man's blood upon us."
But Peter and the apostles said in reply,
"We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles
to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12,
13
R. (2a) I will
praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2REV 5:11-14
I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels
who surrounded the throne
and the living creatures and the elders.
They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice:
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,
honor and glory and blessing."
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth
and under the earth and in the sea,
everything in the universe, cry out:
"To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor, glory and might,
forever and ever."
The four living creatures answered, "Amen, "
and the elders fell down and worshiped.
who surrounded the throne
and the living creatures and the elders.
They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice:
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,
honor and glory and blessing."
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth
and under the earth and in the sea,
everything in the universe, cry out:
"To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor, glory and might,
forever and ever."
The four living creatures answered, "Amen, "
and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Christ is risen, creator of all;
he has shown pity on all people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ is risen, creator of all;
he has shown pity on all people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 21:1-19
At that time, 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.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep."
Jesus said to him the third time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time,
"Do you love me?" and he said to him,
"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go."
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."
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.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep."
Jesus said to him the third time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time,
"Do you love me?" and he said to him,
"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go."
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."
At that time, Jesus revealed himself 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, " am going fishing."
They said to him, "e 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, "AIt 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, " am going fishing."
They said to him, "e 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, "AIt 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:
"Do you love the Risen Lord Jesus above all else?"
Why
didn't the apostles immediately recognize the Risen Lord Jesus when he greeted
them at the Sea of Tiberias (also called the lake of Gennesaret or Galilee)?
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 job as a fisherman out of uncertainty for his
future. Six of the other apostles followed him back to Galilee.
The Lord Jesus renews Peter's faith and calling - and ours as well
Why did Jesus choose to reveal himself to the apostles at the Sea of Galilee - and right after they had spent a whole night of futile fishing? The Risen Lord was waiting on the shore for Peter and the other apostles. When their boat drew near the shore, Jesus questioned them and then gave a command to lower their nets into the sea. When their nets began to burst at the great haul of fish, John, the beloved disciple, recognized that it was the Lord who was speaking to them. Peter then immediately leaped from the boat and ran to the Lord. Do you run to the Lord Jesus when you meet setbacks and disappointments, and when you faith is being put to the test? The Lord Jesus is always ready to renew us in faith and to give each of us fresh hope in his promises for us.
Why did Jesus perform this miraculous catch of fish after his third resurrection appearance to the apostles? By looking back to the first miracle of the great catch of fish, we can recognize the significance of Jesus repeating this miracle again for his apostles. The first miracle took place at the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Galilee when the Lord called Peter to leave all and follow him. After Peter had fished all night and caught nothing, Jesus commanded him to lower his nets (see Luke 5:4-11). When his nets began to break under the weight of the great haul, Jesus then spoke to Peter and gave him a new calling and mission - from now on he would be "catching people" for the kingdom of God (Luke 5:10). Jesus repeats this miracle for Peter to remind him that he must continue his mission of "catching people" and "making disciples" for the kingdom of Christ.
Skeptics who disbelieve the resurrection accounts say the disciples only saw a vision of Jesus. The Gospels, however, give us a vivid picture of the reality of the resurrected and glorified body of the Lord Jesus. Jesus went out of his way to offer his disciples various proofs of his physical resurrection - that he is real and true flesh, not just a spirit or imaginary ghost.
Do you love me more than anything else?
In his third appearance to the apostles, Jesus prepared a breakfast for them and ate with them. Peter's prompt response to draw near to the Lord and eat breakfast with him stands in sharp contrast to his previous denial and distancing himself from his Master during the night of Jesus' arrest and trial. Why did Jesus question Peter's love and loyalty three times in front of the other disciples? It must have caused Peter pain and sorrow since he had publicly denied Jesus three times previously. Now Peter, full of remorse and humility, unequivocally stated that he loved his Lord and Master and was willing to serve him whatever it might cost.
When Jesus asked Peter "do you love me more than these?" he may have pointed to the boats, nets and other fishing companions. He may have challenged Peter to let go of his career as a fisherman for the task of shepherding the people whom Christ would call to be his disciples. Jesus may have also pointed to the other apostles and to Peter's previous boast: "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away" (Matthew 26:33). Peter now makes no boast or comparison but humbly responds: "You know I love you."
The Lord wants to renew our minds and rekindle our hearts with his transforming love
The Lord Jesus calls each one of us, even in our personal struggles, weakness, and sin, to draw near to him as our merciful Healer and Savior. He invites us to choose him as our Lord and to love him above all else. What can hold us back from giving him our undivided love and unqualified loyalty (Romans 8:38-39)? Nothing but our own sinful pride and stubborn will, and blind fear can hold us back from receiving his gracious forgiveness, loving-kindness, and faithful love. God's abundant grace (favor and blessing) is a free and unmerited gift, far beyond what we deserve or could possibly hope to obtain through our own means. We can never outmatch God in generosity and goodness. He loved us first and our love for him is a response to his exceeding grace (unmerited favor) and mercy.
Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) wrote in his famous confession a remarkable prayer of thanksgiving and love:
The Lord Jesus renews Peter's faith and calling - and ours as well
Why did Jesus choose to reveal himself to the apostles at the Sea of Galilee - and right after they had spent a whole night of futile fishing? The Risen Lord was waiting on the shore for Peter and the other apostles. When their boat drew near the shore, Jesus questioned them and then gave a command to lower their nets into the sea. When their nets began to burst at the great haul of fish, John, the beloved disciple, recognized that it was the Lord who was speaking to them. Peter then immediately leaped from the boat and ran to the Lord. Do you run to the Lord Jesus when you meet setbacks and disappointments, and when you faith is being put to the test? The Lord Jesus is always ready to renew us in faith and to give each of us fresh hope in his promises for us.
Why did Jesus perform this miraculous catch of fish after his third resurrection appearance to the apostles? By looking back to the first miracle of the great catch of fish, we can recognize the significance of Jesus repeating this miracle again for his apostles. The first miracle took place at the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Galilee when the Lord called Peter to leave all and follow him. After Peter had fished all night and caught nothing, Jesus commanded him to lower his nets (see Luke 5:4-11). When his nets began to break under the weight of the great haul, Jesus then spoke to Peter and gave him a new calling and mission - from now on he would be "catching people" for the kingdom of God (Luke 5:10). Jesus repeats this miracle for Peter to remind him that he must continue his mission of "catching people" and "making disciples" for the kingdom of Christ.
Skeptics who disbelieve the resurrection accounts say the disciples only saw a vision of Jesus. The Gospels, however, give us a vivid picture of the reality of the resurrected and glorified body of the Lord Jesus. Jesus went out of his way to offer his disciples various proofs of his physical resurrection - that he is real and true flesh, not just a spirit or imaginary ghost.
Do you love me more than anything else?
In his third appearance to the apostles, Jesus prepared a breakfast for them and ate with them. Peter's prompt response to draw near to the Lord and eat breakfast with him stands in sharp contrast to his previous denial and distancing himself from his Master during the night of Jesus' arrest and trial. Why did Jesus question Peter's love and loyalty three times in front of the other disciples? It must have caused Peter pain and sorrow since he had publicly denied Jesus three times previously. Now Peter, full of remorse and humility, unequivocally stated that he loved his Lord and Master and was willing to serve him whatever it might cost.
When Jesus asked Peter "do you love me more than these?" he may have pointed to the boats, nets and other fishing companions. He may have challenged Peter to let go of his career as a fisherman for the task of shepherding the people whom Christ would call to be his disciples. Jesus may have also pointed to the other apostles and to Peter's previous boast: "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away" (Matthew 26:33). Peter now makes no boast or comparison but humbly responds: "You know I love you."
The Lord wants to renew our minds and rekindle our hearts with his transforming love
The Lord Jesus calls each one of us, even in our personal struggles, weakness, and sin, to draw near to him as our merciful Healer and Savior. He invites us to choose him as our Lord and to love him above all else. What can hold us back from giving him our undivided love and unqualified loyalty (Romans 8:38-39)? Nothing but our own sinful pride and stubborn will, and blind fear can hold us back from receiving his gracious forgiveness, loving-kindness, and faithful love. God's abundant grace (favor and blessing) is a free and unmerited gift, far beyond what we deserve or could possibly hope to obtain through our own means. We can never outmatch God in generosity and goodness. He loved us first and our love for him is a response to his exceeding grace (unmerited favor) and mercy.
Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) wrote in his famous confession a remarkable prayer of thanksgiving and love:
"Late
have I loved you, O Beauty so ancient and so new. Late have I loved you! ...You
shone your Self upon me to drive away my blindness. You breathed your fragrance
upon me... and in astonishment I drew my breath...now I pant for you! I tasted
you, and now I hunger and thirst for you. You touched me! - and I burn to live
within your peace. "(Confessions 10:27)
The
Lord Jesus wants to personally draw near to each one of us and he knocks every
day on the door of our hearts and he waits for our response (Revelation 3:20).
Do you recognize the Lord's presence with you and do you listen for his voice
as he speaks to you in your heart and through the word of God in the Sacred
Scriptures? The Lord is ever ready to help us grow in theknowledge of his great
love for us and in the exceeding richness of his mercies and goodness towards
us. Ask the Lord Jesus to rekindle your love for him and to transform your life
through the power and action of the Holy Spirit who dwells within you.
"Lord
Jesus, inflame my heart with your merciful love and remove everything that is
unkind, ungrateful, unloving and unholy, and that is not in accord with your
will. May I always seek to love you above all else and follow you wherever you
wish to lead me."
A
Daily Quote for the early church fathers: Jesus' question to Peter, by
Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Christ
rose again in the flesh, and Peter rose in the spirit because, when Christ died
in his passion, Peter died by his denial. Christ the Lord was raised from the
dead, and out of his love he raised Peter. He questioned him about the love he
was confessing and entrusted him with his sheep. After all, what benefit could
Peter confer on Christ by the mere fact of his loving Christ? If Christ loves
you, it is to your advantage, not Christ's. And if you love Christ, it is to
your advantage, not Christ's. And yet Christ the Lord wanted to indicate how
people ought to show that they love Christ. And he made it plain enough by
entrusting him with his sheep. 'Do you love me?' 'I do' 'Feed my sheep.' All
this once, all this a second time, all this a third time. Peter made no other
reply than that he loved him. The Lord asked no other question but whether he
loved him. When Peter answered, our Lord did nothing else but entrust his sheep
to him." (excerpt from Sermon 229n)
3rd Sunday of Easter – Cycle C
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
Last week we heard how the Apostles began to minister to the people in the same way that Jesus had done. This week we hear of the persecution the apostles endured because of their ministry. The Episcopalians and Lutherans last week heard of both the ministry and the persecution and this week hear of the conversion of Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus and of his subsequent baptism – the only account of the baptism of any of the apostles in Holy Scripture.
This is the second persecution of the apostles, the first having occurred in Chapter 4, verses 1-22 where Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin. This second Sanhedrin arraignment parallels the first in typical Lucan style – Luke does things in twos – and many scholars have regarded this passage as a doublet of the first. However the Mishnah, the first section of the Talmud, comprising a collection of early oral interpretations of the Scriptures as compiled about A.D. 200, provides for legal admonition after the first violation, with punishment meted out only in case of recidivism (sort of a two-strikes-and-you’re-out). I am inclined to believe that both persecutions took place, just as reported in Holy Scripture.
27 When they [the captain and the court officers] had brought them [the apostles] in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, 28 “We gave you strict orders (did we not?) to stop teaching in that name.
In keeping with the two persecutions, the orders were given in Acts 4:18.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
For Saint Luke, the apostles’ preaching is bound to Jerusalem according to the divine ordering of sacred history. The centrality of Jerusalem in Lucan history emphasizes the continuity between the era of Israel and that of the Church. The “Holy City” is the geographic center of sacred history, and the primitive Christian community is bound to it not just in fact, but of necessity.
29 But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men.
Because Jerusalem is the center of Israel and the New Covenant is to replace the old, the apostles have no choice but to start here.
30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
Galatians 3:13 says “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written ‘cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree’” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Luke is arguing from the Law itself the magnitude of the people’s shame in “laying violent hands” on their Savior. This discourse here illustrates Luke 21:12-13.
31 God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”
God sends the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him, and the apostles are obedient to the prompting of the Spirit.
Omitted from our reading for today, is Gamaliel’s response “Fellow Israelites, be careful what you are about to do to these men... So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Gamaliel, a member of the Sanhedrin, was Saint Paul’s teacher (Acts 22:3).
40b [The Sanhedrin] ordered them [the apostles] to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. 41 So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
The apostles must have remembered the Lord’s words during the sermon on the mount: Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven (Matthew 5:7-8).
2nd Reading - Revelation 5:11-14
Last week we heard Saint John describe the part of his vision of the heavenly liturgy where he saw the Holy Place and standing in there was a priest-king, the high priest, who identified himself as the Alpha and Omega, who was dead and lives forever and has authority over death and Hades (Acts 1:17-18), The Christ.
Then, as we read through the book of Revelation, come the letters to the seven churches; churches which were not necessarily major centers, but which were located in sequence on a major road, with Ephesus as the point of departure. This makes this book in the form of a circular letter which could have been carried easily from one place to the next.
The number seven is significant in that in Hebrew numerology it is the number of the covenant and as such, the letter is not addressed just to seven churches, but to all congregations who form part of the new covenant. After the letters, Chapter 4 has us looking with John’s eyes through an open door and seeing a throne. The Holy Place was separated from the Holy of Holies by a curtain and in the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant (Hebrews 8:3-4). When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38) leaving an open door. The Ark of the Covenant was more than a box, it was a cherubim throne. Cherubim thrones were not uncommon in that area of the world during the time of King David. What makes the Hebrew cherubim throne unique is that it is not occupied; the throne in other countries was occupied by the queen mother. What Saint John sees as he looks through the open door is the throne which was located in the Holy of Holies, the place which could be entered only by the High Priest and only once a year (the day of atonement) and then only for the purpose of offering sacrifice to God. Saint John tells us in chapter 5, verse 6, that he sees a lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne. Hebrews chapter 5 tells us that the duty of the high priest is to offer sacrifice for sins. This sacrifice was placed on the Ark of the Covenant by the high priest. The lamb which John sees is standing, so it is not dead, but it looks as though it had been slain – it is the resurrected Jesus, the Lamb of God, continually offering His sacrifice for us in heaven (recall that time only has domain on earth, once we die we enter the timeless dimension of eternity – the eternal now).
This brings us to the point of today’s reading:
11 I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne
A sort of guard of honor surrounding the throne and proclaiming the sublime perfection of
Christ the Lamb
and the living creatures
Notice that they are alive with Christ in heaven, they are not dead.
and the elders. They were countless in number,
The phrase used for “countless” by Saint John is “100,000,000 plus 1,000,000,” which is used to indicate an infinite number.
12 and they cried out in a loud voice:
According to Dr. Scott Hahn, angels talk, while the redeemed sing.
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.”
The focus is seven words, suggesting the fullness of power and glory, seven representing the covenant in Hebrew numerology. The first four words concern the Lamb’s dominion (power, riches, wisdom, and strength), four in Hebrew numerology representing the world; the last three express the adoration (honor, glory, and blessing), three representing completeness in Hebrew numerology.
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out:
All of creation (in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, in the sea) becomes a part of the cosmic chorus.
“To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.”
The offering is both to God and to the Lamb – kingship and dominion belong jointly to the Father and to Christ. The first prayer was offered only to the Lamb, the second one is offered to both the Lamb and the Father.
14 The four living creatures
The fundamental idea here is Ezekiel 1:10 – the whole of creation in which God is constantly present – what is most splendid in animate life:
• the lion = nobility
• the bull = strength
• the man = wisdom
• the eagle = swiftness
answered, “Amen,” and the elders
There are 24 elders, 12 representing the tribes of Israel, the chosen people of the Old Covenant and 12 representing the apostles, the New Israel.
fell down and worshiped.
The posture of submission and homage. The Biblical philosophy of history is that all history, created and controlled by God’s personal and total government, is moving inescapably toward the universal dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ. The new and final age of history, the messianic age, has arrived; the New Covenant has come! Behold, He has conquered!
Gospel - John 21:1-19
In last week’s gospel reading we heard of Jesus’ first two appearances to His apostles. Today we hear about His third appearance. This story is thought by most commentators to be an appendix added to the gospel conclusion (chapter 20) we heard last week.
21:1 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
The Sea of Galilee. Tiberias, a city on the western shore, was founded by Herod Antiapas sometime around A.D. 20 and named after Tiberias Caesar. The site had previously been used for a burial ground and was therefore unclean. The city seems to have been entirely Gentile in New Testament times. Jesus is not said to have entered the city and the common opinion of interpreters is that He never did.
He revealed himself in this way. 2 Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
The decision to go fishing is not surprising if the story had originally been about the first (only?) appearance to Peter and the disciples. Now it seems awkward since in John 20:21 Jesus commissioned them “as the Father has sent me, so I send you,” and this commission seems to have been ignored.
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. 4 When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Non-recognition is typical of appearance stories [Mary Magdalene at the tomb (John 20:15), the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:14-15)]. It is also better suited to an independent appearance story.
5 Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6 So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.”
The lucky side. Nothing miraculous so far, a person on shore could spot fish which might be invisible to those in the boat.
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish.
So far the story has a close parallel to Luke 5:4-7 where Peter and his partners are recruited (“I will make you fishers of men”).
7 So the disciple whom Jesus loved
Saint John.
said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
The recognition and appearance of Jesus is the miracle in this story.
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
The Jews were sensitive about performing greetings without being properly dressed.
and jumped into the sea. 8 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. 9 When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire
The only other mention of a charcoal fire in the Bible is in John 18:18, beside which Peter denies Christ three times.
with fish on it and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
This request contradicts the previous verse where a fish was cooking but it does serve to stress the role of fishing as symbolizing the apostolic mission.
11 So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Most commentators, ancient and modern, have felt that this number is symbolic, but there is no agreement as to its nature. It does appear likely that the fish symbolize those who will be brought into the Church through the apostolic preaching. Saint Jerome’s interpretation is that ancient biologists calculated that there were precisely 153 species of fish – this means that the disciples will “fish” for every kind of men.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 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. 13 Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish.
Like the last supper and the feeding of the 5,000 there is no indication that Jesus ate.
14 This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
This ties this chapter to the preceding one where He appeared in the upper room twice, a week apart.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
This three-fold affirmation beside the charcoal fire is a reversal of Peter’s three-fold denial beside a charcoal fire.
“Simon, son of John, do you love me
Agape = self-sacrificing love
more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Philias = brotherly love
He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of
John, do you love me?”
Agape
He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Philias
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Philias
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Philias
(Jesus) said to him, “Feed my sheep.
The interplay with the Greek words for “love” is interesting but the commentaries do not show what the significance is. To me it seems as though Jesus is showing Saint Peter what true love is and Peter is unable at this point in time to make this commitment. He did however, live out a self-sacrificing love which manifested itself in his (Peter’s) crucifixion for the faith. What is certain however, is that Jesus, the good shepherd, is turning His earthly flock over to His duly appointed minister – “Feed may lambs... tend my sheep... feed my sheep.” Lambs will not wander far from the flock but need to be fed; sheep need guidance (tending) as well as nourishment. The primacy was given to Peter directly and immediately. The Church has always understood, and Vatican I defined: “We therefore teach and decree that, according to the testimony of the Gospel, the primacy of jurisdiction over the universal Church of God was immediately and directly promised and given to Blessed Peter the Apostle by Christ our Lord... And it was upon Simon Peter alone that Jesus after His resurrection bestowed the jurisdiction of chief pastor and ruler over all His fold in the words: ‘Feed may lambs... Tend my sheep... Feed my sheep.’”
18 Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
Jesus declares that Peter will fulfill his earlier promise to follow Jesus even to death (John 13:37-38).
19 He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Walk in my footsteps, all the way to the cross. This is the oldest written attestation of Peter’s martyrdom by crucifixion. The words “Follow me” would have reminded the Apostle of the first call he received (Matthew 4:19) and of the fact that Christ requires of His disciples complete self-surrender: If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up the cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23).
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
Last week we heard how the Apostles began to minister to the people in the same way that Jesus had done. This week we hear of the persecution the apostles endured because of their ministry. The Episcopalians and Lutherans last week heard of both the ministry and the persecution and this week hear of the conversion of Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus and of his subsequent baptism – the only account of the baptism of any of the apostles in Holy Scripture.
This is the second persecution of the apostles, the first having occurred in Chapter 4, verses 1-22 where Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin. This second Sanhedrin arraignment parallels the first in typical Lucan style – Luke does things in twos – and many scholars have regarded this passage as a doublet of the first. However the Mishnah, the first section of the Talmud, comprising a collection of early oral interpretations of the Scriptures as compiled about A.D. 200, provides for legal admonition after the first violation, with punishment meted out only in case of recidivism (sort of a two-strikes-and-you’re-out). I am inclined to believe that both persecutions took place, just as reported in Holy Scripture.
27 When they [the captain and the court officers] had brought them [the apostles] in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, 28 “We gave you strict orders (did we not?) to stop teaching in that name.
In keeping with the two persecutions, the orders were given in Acts 4:18.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
For Saint Luke, the apostles’ preaching is bound to Jerusalem according to the divine ordering of sacred history. The centrality of Jerusalem in Lucan history emphasizes the continuity between the era of Israel and that of the Church. The “Holy City” is the geographic center of sacred history, and the primitive Christian community is bound to it not just in fact, but of necessity.
29 But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men.
Because Jerusalem is the center of Israel and the New Covenant is to replace the old, the apostles have no choice but to start here.
30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
Galatians 3:13 says “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written ‘cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree’” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Luke is arguing from the Law itself the magnitude of the people’s shame in “laying violent hands” on their Savior. This discourse here illustrates Luke 21:12-13.
31 God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”
God sends the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him, and the apostles are obedient to the prompting of the Spirit.
Omitted from our reading for today, is Gamaliel’s response “Fellow Israelites, be careful what you are about to do to these men... So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Gamaliel, a member of the Sanhedrin, was Saint Paul’s teacher (Acts 22:3).
40b [The Sanhedrin] ordered them [the apostles] to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. 41 So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
The apostles must have remembered the Lord’s words during the sermon on the mount: Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven (Matthew 5:7-8).
2nd Reading - Revelation 5:11-14
Last week we heard Saint John describe the part of his vision of the heavenly liturgy where he saw the Holy Place and standing in there was a priest-king, the high priest, who identified himself as the Alpha and Omega, who was dead and lives forever and has authority over death and Hades (Acts 1:17-18), The Christ.
Then, as we read through the book of Revelation, come the letters to the seven churches; churches which were not necessarily major centers, but which were located in sequence on a major road, with Ephesus as the point of departure. This makes this book in the form of a circular letter which could have been carried easily from one place to the next.
The number seven is significant in that in Hebrew numerology it is the number of the covenant and as such, the letter is not addressed just to seven churches, but to all congregations who form part of the new covenant. After the letters, Chapter 4 has us looking with John’s eyes through an open door and seeing a throne. The Holy Place was separated from the Holy of Holies by a curtain and in the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant (Hebrews 8:3-4). When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38) leaving an open door. The Ark of the Covenant was more than a box, it was a cherubim throne. Cherubim thrones were not uncommon in that area of the world during the time of King David. What makes the Hebrew cherubim throne unique is that it is not occupied; the throne in other countries was occupied by the queen mother. What Saint John sees as he looks through the open door is the throne which was located in the Holy of Holies, the place which could be entered only by the High Priest and only once a year (the day of atonement) and then only for the purpose of offering sacrifice to God. Saint John tells us in chapter 5, verse 6, that he sees a lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne. Hebrews chapter 5 tells us that the duty of the high priest is to offer sacrifice for sins. This sacrifice was placed on the Ark of the Covenant by the high priest. The lamb which John sees is standing, so it is not dead, but it looks as though it had been slain – it is the resurrected Jesus, the Lamb of God, continually offering His sacrifice for us in heaven (recall that time only has domain on earth, once we die we enter the timeless dimension of eternity – the eternal now).
This brings us to the point of today’s reading:
11 I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne
A sort of guard of honor surrounding the throne and proclaiming the sublime perfection of
Christ the Lamb
and the living creatures
Notice that they are alive with Christ in heaven, they are not dead.
and the elders. They were countless in number,
The phrase used for “countless” by Saint John is “100,000,000 plus 1,000,000,” which is used to indicate an infinite number.
12 and they cried out in a loud voice:
According to Dr. Scott Hahn, angels talk, while the redeemed sing.
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.”
The focus is seven words, suggesting the fullness of power and glory, seven representing the covenant in Hebrew numerology. The first four words concern the Lamb’s dominion (power, riches, wisdom, and strength), four in Hebrew numerology representing the world; the last three express the adoration (honor, glory, and blessing), three representing completeness in Hebrew numerology.
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out:
All of creation (in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, in the sea) becomes a part of the cosmic chorus.
“To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.”
The offering is both to God and to the Lamb – kingship and dominion belong jointly to the Father and to Christ. The first prayer was offered only to the Lamb, the second one is offered to both the Lamb and the Father.
14 The four living creatures
The fundamental idea here is Ezekiel 1:10 – the whole of creation in which God is constantly present – what is most splendid in animate life:
• the lion = nobility
• the bull = strength
• the man = wisdom
• the eagle = swiftness
answered, “Amen,” and the elders
There are 24 elders, 12 representing the tribes of Israel, the chosen people of the Old Covenant and 12 representing the apostles, the New Israel.
fell down and worshiped.
The posture of submission and homage. The Biblical philosophy of history is that all history, created and controlled by God’s personal and total government, is moving inescapably toward the universal dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ. The new and final age of history, the messianic age, has arrived; the New Covenant has come! Behold, He has conquered!
Gospel - John 21:1-19
In last week’s gospel reading we heard of Jesus’ first two appearances to His apostles. Today we hear about His third appearance. This story is thought by most commentators to be an appendix added to the gospel conclusion (chapter 20) we heard last week.
21:1 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
The Sea of Galilee. Tiberias, a city on the western shore, was founded by Herod Antiapas sometime around A.D. 20 and named after Tiberias Caesar. The site had previously been used for a burial ground and was therefore unclean. The city seems to have been entirely Gentile in New Testament times. Jesus is not said to have entered the city and the common opinion of interpreters is that He never did.
He revealed himself in this way. 2 Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
The decision to go fishing is not surprising if the story had originally been about the first (only?) appearance to Peter and the disciples. Now it seems awkward since in John 20:21 Jesus commissioned them “as the Father has sent me, so I send you,” and this commission seems to have been ignored.
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. 4 When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Non-recognition is typical of appearance stories [Mary Magdalene at the tomb (John 20:15), the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:14-15)]. It is also better suited to an independent appearance story.
5 Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6 So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.”
The lucky side. Nothing miraculous so far, a person on shore could spot fish which might be invisible to those in the boat.
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish.
So far the story has a close parallel to Luke 5:4-7 where Peter and his partners are recruited (“I will make you fishers of men”).
7 So the disciple whom Jesus loved
Saint John.
said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
The recognition and appearance of Jesus is the miracle in this story.
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
The Jews were sensitive about performing greetings without being properly dressed.
and jumped into the sea. 8 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. 9 When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire
The only other mention of a charcoal fire in the Bible is in John 18:18, beside which Peter denies Christ three times.
with fish on it and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
This request contradicts the previous verse where a fish was cooking but it does serve to stress the role of fishing as symbolizing the apostolic mission.
11 So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Most commentators, ancient and modern, have felt that this number is symbolic, but there is no agreement as to its nature. It does appear likely that the fish symbolize those who will be brought into the Church through the apostolic preaching. Saint Jerome’s interpretation is that ancient biologists calculated that there were precisely 153 species of fish – this means that the disciples will “fish” for every kind of men.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 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. 13 Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish.
Like the last supper and the feeding of the 5,000 there is no indication that Jesus ate.
14 This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
This ties this chapter to the preceding one where He appeared in the upper room twice, a week apart.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
This three-fold affirmation beside the charcoal fire is a reversal of Peter’s three-fold denial beside a charcoal fire.
“Simon, son of John, do you love me
Agape = self-sacrificing love
more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Philias = brotherly love
He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of
John, do you love me?”
Agape
He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Philias
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Philias
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Philias
(Jesus) said to him, “Feed my sheep.
The interplay with the Greek words for “love” is interesting but the commentaries do not show what the significance is. To me it seems as though Jesus is showing Saint Peter what true love is and Peter is unable at this point in time to make this commitment. He did however, live out a self-sacrificing love which manifested itself in his (Peter’s) crucifixion for the faith. What is certain however, is that Jesus, the good shepherd, is turning His earthly flock over to His duly appointed minister – “Feed may lambs... tend my sheep... feed my sheep.” Lambs will not wander far from the flock but need to be fed; sheep need guidance (tending) as well as nourishment. The primacy was given to Peter directly and immediately. The Church has always understood, and Vatican I defined: “We therefore teach and decree that, according to the testimony of the Gospel, the primacy of jurisdiction over the universal Church of God was immediately and directly promised and given to Blessed Peter the Apostle by Christ our Lord... And it was upon Simon Peter alone that Jesus after His resurrection bestowed the jurisdiction of chief pastor and ruler over all His fold in the words: ‘Feed may lambs... Tend my sheep... Feed my sheep.’”
18 Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
Jesus declares that Peter will fulfill his earlier promise to follow Jesus even to death (John 13:37-38).
19 He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Walk in my footsteps, all the way to the cross. This is the oldest written attestation of Peter’s martyrdom by crucifixion. The words “Follow me” would have reminded the Apostle of the first call he received (Matthew 4:19) and of the fact that Christ requires of His disciples complete self-surrender: If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up the cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23).
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS http://www.scborromeo.org
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
SUNDAY, MAY 5, JOHN 21:1-19 or 21:1-14
(Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14)
SUNDAY, MAY 5, JOHN 21:1-19 or 21:1-14
(Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14)
KEY VERSE: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?” (v 16b)
TO KNOW: After the resurrection, Jesus revealed himself once again on the Sea of Galilee ("Tiberias," Jn 6:1). In the half-light of the morning, he called to his followers 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 to Jesus brought forth a great number of fish. John was the first to understand the meaning of this sign and cried out, "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 was a symbol of the future mission of the Church to bring souls to Christ. Afterwards, Peter was given a three-fold opportunity to publicly profess his devotion in reparation for his three denials. For each declaration of faith, the Risen Lord commanded Peter to feed the flock, the Christian community. Peter, the Church's future shepherd, would lay down his life for the sake of the flock as Jesus did.
TO LOVE: Am I willing to feed the flock the Lord has given me?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, give me the grace to declare my faith in you before others.
Sunday 5 May 2019
3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER.
Acts 5:27-32, 40-41. Psalm 29(30):2, 4-6, 11-13. Apocalypse
5:11-14. John 21:1-19.
I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me – Psalm
29(30):2, 4-6, 11-13.
‘They knew it was the Lord.’
Today’s gospel has Jesus appearing to the disciples who are out
together unsuccessfully fishing. Jesus calls out to them to recast their nets,
which become abundantly full. Back on the shore together, the breakfast is a
eucharistic celebration by a charcoal fire. This detail is important: Peter had
denied Jesus three times, warming himself by a charcoal fire.
The symbolism is dramatically rich, especially in the way Peter
is asked the same question three times – a slightly embarrassing, perplexing
moment. This conversation after breakfast takes the form of a ritual healing:
Peter is able to reaffirm his love for Jesus, who in turn confirms Peter in his
mission.
The notion of fishermen who can’t catch fish seems to add to the
feeling of the disciples floundering without the presence of Jesus. His
appearance alters this, and they are instructed to follow him. This is quite an
invitation.
Saint Hilary of Arles
Saint of the Day for May 5
(c. 401 – May 5, 449)
Saint Hilary of Arles’ Story
It’s been said that youth is wasted on the young. In some ways,
that was true for today’s saint.
Born in France in the early fifth century, Hilary came from an
aristocratic family. In the course of his education he encountered his
relative, Honoratus, who encouraged the young man to join him in the monastic
life. Hilary did so. He continued to follow in the footsteps of Honoratus as
bishop. Hilary was only 29 when he was chosen bishop of Arles.
The new, youthful bishop undertook the role with confidence. He
did manual labor to earn money for the poor. He sold sacred vessels to ransom
captives. He became a magnificent orator. He traveled everywhere on foot,
always wearing simple clothing.
That was the bright side. Hilary encountered difficulty in his
relationships with other bishops over whom he had some jurisdiction. He
unilaterally deposed one bishop. He selected another bishop to replace one who
was very ill–but, to complicate matters, did not die! Pope Saint Leo the
Great kept Hilary a bishop but stripped him of some of his powers.
Hilary died at 49. He was a man of talent and piety who, in due
time, had learned how to be a bishop.
Reflection
Saint Hilary teaches us to respect authority even if found
in a young person. Age is not the issue: prudence and wisdom are.
Lectio Divina: 3rd Sunday of Easter (C)
Lectio Divina
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Love reveals the presence of the Lord
An invitation to the Eucharist of the Risen One
John 21: 1-19
An invitation to the Eucharist of the Risen One
John 21: 1-19
1. Opening prayer
Father, send Your Holy Spirit that the fruitless night of our
life may be transformed into the radiant dawn that enables us to know Your Son
Jesus present among us. Let Your Spirit breathe on the waters of our sea, as He
did at the moment of creation, to open our hearts to the invitation of the
Lord’s love and that we may share in the banquet of His Body and His Word. May
Your Spirit burn within us, Father, that we may become witnesses of Jesus, like
Peter and John and the other disciples, and that we too may go out every day to
become fishermen and women for Your kingdom. Amen.
2. The word of the Lord for today
a) A reading of the passage:
At that time, 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. When they had
finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you
love me more than these?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you
know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." He
then said to Simon Peter a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love
me?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love
you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." Jesus said to him the
third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was
distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?"
and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love
you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you,
when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but
when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress
you and lead you where you do not want to go." He said this signifying by
what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to
him, "Follow me."
b) The context of the passage:
After this first contact with the passage, I now feel the need
to understand its context. I pick up the bible and do not allow superficial
first impressions to influence me. I try to search and listen. I open chapter
21 of John’s Gospel, which is practically at the end of the Gospel. The end of
anything usually summarizes all that went before it, everything that was built
up bit by bit. This catch on the lake of Tiberias reminds me strongly and
clearly of the beginning of the Gospel where Jesus calls the first disciples,
the same ones who are now present with Him: Peter, James, John and Nathanael.
The meal with Jesus, bread and fish, reminds me of chapter 6 where the great
multiplication of the loaves took place, the revelation of the Bread of Life.
The intimate and personal conversation between Jesus and Peter, His triple
question: “Do you love Me?” reminds me again of the Easter vigil when Peter had
denied the Lord three times.
Then, if I turn back the pages of the Gospel, I find the
wonderful passage concerning the resurrection: the haste by night of Mary
Magdalene and the other women to the sepulcher, the discovery of the empty
tomb, Peter and John’s race, their looking into the sepulcher, their
contemplation, their faith; I still find the eleven behind locked doors in the
cenacle and then the risen Jesus comes in, the gift of the Spirit, the absence
and unbelief of Thomas, a belief regained with the second coming in of Jesus; I
hear that wonderful proclamation of the beatitude, which is for all of us
today, called to believe without having seen.
Then I also go to the waters of that sea, on a night with no
catch, and empty handed. It is here and now that I am visited, embraced by the
manifestation, the revelation of the Lord Jesus. I am here, then, to
recognize Him, to throw myself into the sea and go towards Him to share in the
banquet, to let Him dig deep into my heart with His questions, His words, so
that once more He may repeat to me, “Follow Me!” and I, at last, may say to Him
“Here I am!”, fuller, truer and stronger and for ever.
c) A subdivision of the text:
v.1: With the verb ‘revealed’, John immediately draws our
attention to a great event about to take place. The power of Jesus’
resurrection has not yet ceased to invade the lives of the disciples and thus
of the Church. It is just a matter of being prepared to accept the light, the
salvation offered by Christ. As He reveals Himself in this text now, so also
will He go on revealing Himself in the lives of believers, as well as in our
lives.
vv. 2-3: Peter and the other six disciples go out
from the locked cenacle and go to the sea to fish, but after a whole night of
labor, they catch nothing. It is the dark, the solitude, the inability of human
endeavors.
vv. 4-8: Finally the dawn comes, light returns and
Jesus appears standing on the shore of the sea. But the disciples do not
recognize Him yet; they need to embark on a very deep interior journey. The
initiative comes from the Lord who, by His words, helps them to see their need,
their situation: they have nothing to eat. Then He invites them to cast the net
again. Obedience to His Word works the miracle and the catch is abundant. John,
the disciple of love, recognizes the Lord and shouts his faith to the other
disciples. Peter believes and immediately throws himself into the sea to go as
quickly as possible to the Lord and Master. The others, however, follow
dragging the boat and the net.
vv. 9-14: The scene now changes on land, where Jesus
had been waiting for the disciples. Here a banquet takes place: Jesus’ bread is
joined to the disciples’ fish, His life and His gift become one with their life
and gift. It is the power of the Word made flesh, made existence.
vv. 15-18: Now Jesus addresses Peter directly heart to
heart; it is a very powerful moment of love from which I cannot separate
myself, because those same words of the Lord are written and repeated also for
me today. It is a mutual declaration of love repeated three times, capable of
overcoming all infidelities and weaknesses. From now on a new life begins for
Peter, and for me if I so desire.
v. 19: This last verse of the text is rather unusual because it is a
comment of the Evangelist followed immediately by Jesus’ very powerful and
definitive word to Peter, “Follow Me!”, to which there is no other reply than
life itself.
3. A moment of prayerful silence
Here I pause a while and gather in my heart the words I have
read and heard. I try to do what Mary did, who listened to the words of the
Lord and examined them, weighed them and allowed them to speak for themselves
without interpreting, changing, diminishing or adding anything to them. In
silence I pause on this text and go over it in my heart.
4. Some questions
a) “They went out and got into the boat” (v.3). Am I
also ready to embark on this journey of conversion? Will I let myself be
reawakened by Jesus’ invitation? Or do I prefer to go on hiding behind my
closed doors in fear like the disciples in the cenacle? Do I want to go out, to
go out after Jesus, to allow Him to lead me? There is a boat ready for me,
there is a vocation of love given to me by the Lord; when will I make up my
mind to respond truly?
b) “…But caught nothing that night” (ibid). Do I have
the courage to hear the Lord say to me that there is emptiness in me, that it
is night, that I am empty handed? Do I have the courage to admit that I need
Him, His presence? Do I want to open my heart to Him, my innermost self, that
which I constantly try to deny, to hide? He knows everything, He knows my
innermost self; He sees that I have nothing to eat, but it is I who have to
realize this about myself, that I must eventually come to Him empty handed,
even weeping, with a heart full of sadness and anguish. If I do not take this
step, the true light, the dawn of my day will never shine.
c) “Throw the net out to starboard” (v.6). The Lord
speaks clearly to me too in moments when, thanks to a person or a prayer
gathering or a Word spoken, I understand clearly what I have to do. The command
is very clear; I only need to listen and obey. “Throw out to starboard” [to the
right], the Lord says to me. Do I at last have the courage to trust Him, or do
I wish to go on my own way, in my own way? Do I wish to cast my net for Him?
d) “Simon Peter … jumped into the water” (v.7). I am
not sure that there is a more beautiful verse than this. Peter jumped in, like
the widow at the temple who cast all she had, like the man possessed who was
healed (Mk 5:6), like Jairus, like the woman with the hemorrhage, like the
leper, all of whom threw themselves at Jesus’ feet, surrendering their lives to
Him. Or like Jesus Himself who threw Himself on the ground and prayed to His
Father (Mk 14:35). Now is my time. Do I also want to throw myself into the sea
of mercy, of the Father’s love, do I wish to surrender to Him my whole life, my
whole being, my sufferings, my hopes, my wishes, my sins, my desire to start
again? His arms are ready to welcome me, or rather, I am certain that it will
be He who will throw His arms around my neck, as it is written … “While he was
still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the
boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him.”.
e) “Bring some of the fish you have just caught”
(v.10). The Lord asks me to join my food with His, my life with His. While the
Evangelist is speaking of fish, it is as if he were speaking of people, those
whom the Lord Himself wishes to save through my efforts at fishing. That is why
He sends me. At His table, at His feast, He expects me and expects all those
brothers and sisters whom in His love He has placed in my life. I cannot go to
Jesus alone. This Word, then, asks whether I am prepared to go to the Lord, to
sit at His table, to celebrate Eucharist with Him and whether I am ready to
spend my life and my energies to bring with me many of my brothers and sisters
to Him. I must look within my heart sincerely and see my resistance, my closure
to Him and to others.
f) “Do you love Me?” (v.15). How can I answer this
question? How can I proclaim my love for God when all my infidelities and my
denials come to the surface? What happened to Peter is also part of my story.
But I do not want this fear to prevent me and make me retreat; no! I want to go
to Jesus, I want to stay with Him, I want to approach Him and say that I love
Him. I borrow Peter’s words and make them mine, I write them on my heart, I
repeat them, I give them breath and life in my life and then I gather courage
and say to Jesus, “Lord, You know everything; You know I love You”. Just as I
am, I love Him. Thank You, Lord, that You ask me to love and that You expect
me, You want me; thank You because You rejoice in my poor love.
g) “Feed my sheep… Follow me” (vv.15,19). That is how
the text ends. It is an open-ended ending and still goes on speaking to me.
This is the Word that the Lord entrusts to me so that I may put it into
practice in my life from this day forward. I want to accept the mission that
the Lord entrusts to me; I want to answer His call and to follow Him wherever
He may lead me, every day and in every small matter.
5. A key to the reading
Peter is the first to take the initiative and
proclaim to his brothers his decision to go fishing. Peter goes out to the sea,
that is, the world, he goes to his brothers and sisters because he knows that
he is a fisher of people (Lk 5:10); just like Jesus, who went out of the Father
to come and pitch His tent in our midst. Peter is also the first to react to
the words of John who recognizes Jesus on the shore. He ties his garment and
throws himself into the sea. These seem to me to be strong allusions to
baptism. It is as if Peter wishes to bury completely his past in those waters,
just like a catechumen who enters the baptismal font. Peter commits himself to
these purifying waters, he allows himself to be healed: he throws himself into
the waters, taking with him his self conceits, his faults, the weight of his
denial, his tears, so as to rise again a new man to meet his Lord. Before he
throws himself into the water, Peter ties his garment, just like Jesus did,
before him, when He tied a garment to wash the feet of His disciples at the
last supper. It is the garment of a servant, of one who gives him/herself to
his/her brothers and sisters, and it is this garment that covers his nakedness.
It is the garment of the Lord Himself, who wraps him in His love and His
forgiveness. Thanks to this love, Peter will be able to come up again from the
sea and start all over again. It is also said of Jesus that He came up out of
the water after His baptism; Master and disciple share the same verb, the same
experience. Peter is now a new man! That is why he will be able to affirm three
times that he loves the Lord. Even though his triple denial remains an open
wound, it is not his last word. It is here that Peter experiences the
forgiveness of the Lord and realizes the weakness that reveals itself to him as
the place of a greater love. Peter receives love, a love that goes well beyond
his treachery, his fall, a surfeit of love that enables him to serve his
brothers and sisters, to lead them to the green pastures of the Lord Jesus. Not
only this, but in this service of love, Peter will become the good shepherd,
like Jesus Himself. Indeed, he too will give his life for his sheep, he will
stretch his arms in crucifixion, as we know from history. He was crucified head
down, he will be turned upside down, but in the mystery of love he will thus be
truly straightened up and fulfill that baptism that began at the moment he
threw himself into the sea with a garment tied around him. Peter then becomes
the lamb who follows his Shepherd to martyrdom.
6. A time of prayer
Psalm 22
My soul thirsts for You, Lord.
Yahweh is my shepherd,
I lack nothing.
Yahweh is my shepherd,
I lack nothing.
In grassy meadows He lets me lie.
By tranquil streams He leads me
to restore my spirit.
He guides me in paths of saving justice as befits His name.
Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death
I should fear no danger,
for You are at my side.
Your staff and Your crook are there to soothe me.
By tranquil streams He leads me
to restore my spirit.
He guides me in paths of saving justice as befits His name.
Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death
I should fear no danger,
for You are at my side.
Your staff and Your crook are there to soothe me.
You prepare a table for me under the eyes of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup brims over.
Kindness and faithful love pursue me every day of my life.
I make my home in the house of Yahweh for all time to come.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup brims over.
Kindness and faithful love pursue me every day of my life.
I make my home in the house of Yahweh for all time to come.
7. Final Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank You for the word that has enabled us to
understand better the will of the Father. May Your Spirit enlighten our actions
and grant us the strength to practice what Your Word has revealed to us. May
we, like Mary, Your mother, not only listen to but also practice the Word. You
who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and
ever. Amen.
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