Mass Readings: Acts 5:27-32. 40-41 Ps 30
Rev 5:11-14 Jn 21:1-19
Key Verse to Meditate:
Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than
these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs" (Jn 21:15).
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
The Third Sunday of Easter
presents to us one of the most beautiful episodes in the New Testament. The
first part of the Gospel recounts the third appearance of Jesus to His
disciples on the shore of Tiberias. Life must have felt strange and disoriented
for these apostles who had witnessed the brutal killing of their Master on the
Cross. Many of them were not present at His crucifixion-they had deserted Him,
fleeing in fear for their lives. It was the women, especially Mary Magdalene,
who brought them the Good News of His resurrection. When she said, “I
have seen the Lord” (Jn 20:18), they were not ready to believe her. Later,
when Jesus appeared to the disciples, Thomas was not with them. And when
the others told him, “We have seen the Lord” (Jn 20:25), he too refused
to believe-until the Risen Lord appeared to him personally.
The First Reading
Today’s first reading from
the Acts of the Apostles sets the tone for the Liturgy of the Word on this
Third Sunday of Easter. After being imprisoned by the High Priest and his
council, the apostles were miraculously released by an angel of the Lord. However,
when they were later brought back before the council for preaching in the
Temple, they were sternly warned not to teach in the name of Jesus (Acts 5:28).
In response, Peter and the
apostles boldly declared, "We must obey God rather than any human
authority" (Acts 5:29). Peter then proclaimed the truth of the
resurrection of Christ, saying, “The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus,
whom you had killed by hanging Him on a cross” (Acts 5:30). This echoes
Peter’s earlier words after the healing of the crippled beggar, where he
stated, “You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead”
(Acts 3:15).
Peter is unflinching in
holding the religious authorities accountable, accusing them of crucifying the
Lord out of ignorance, disobedience, and hardness of heart. He emphasizes that
the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey God. Continuing his testimony, Peter
proclaims that he and the other apostles are witnesses to these events, along
with the Holy Spirit, affirming that the crucified and risen Jesus is indeed
the Prince and Savior sent by God to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins
to Israel (Acts 5:31–32; cf. Mt 1:21).
God does not offer
vengeance but instead extends forgiveness and new life through Christ. Peter’s
bold proclamation, following the Pentecost event (Acts 2:4ff), confirms that
both the apostles and the Spirit of God (cf. Rom 8:16) bear witness to the
resurrection of Jesus (Acts 5:32; cf. Acts 1:8).
The Second Reading
In the first reading, Peter proclaims that God has exalted Jesus to His right
hand as “Prince and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of
sins” (Acts 5:31). In today’s second reading from the Book of Revelation,
we hear a magnificent vision of heavenly worship offered to the One seated on
the throne - none other than the risen Lord.
In this cosmic hymn of
praise, not only is Christ glorified, but God the Father is also exalted,
emphasizing that Christ shares in the same divine majesty. Countless angels,
living creatures, and elders surround the throne, worshiping the Lamb who was
slain yet now lives. Their numbers are described as "myriads of myriads
and thousands of thousands" (cf. Dan 7:10; Numb 10:36).
To the Lamb, they cry out: “Worthy
is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and
honor and glory and blessing” (Rev 5:12; cf. Job 37:22–23; 40:10). The
resurrection of Christ has made Him worthy to receive all glory, worship, and
praise. This powerful passage (Rev 5:9–14) is closely connected to the vision
of the Son of Man in Daniel 7:13–27, revealing the divine authority and
eternal kingship of the risen Christ.
The Gospel Reading
Unlike the first two
encounters, today’s Gospel shifts the focus to Peter, the head of the
apostles. The Risen Lord once again comes to His disciples to strengthen
their faith, that they may become His witnesses to the ends of the earth.
He meets them again in Galilee, in their familiar setting—where He had
originally called them to follow Him. Returning to Galilee marks a turning
point in the lives of these simple fishermen. It is often in the ordinary
circumstances of our lives that the Risen Lord meets us.
Peter takes the lead and
says, “I am going fishing,” and the others -Thomas (called the Twin),
Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others-join him (Jn
21:2). Peter speaks for himself here, perhaps trying to return to his old life,
believing everything was over. But for Jesus, the relationship and mission were
far from over. The apostles catch nothing. This fishing trip symbolizes
evangelization-and the message is clear: we cannot succeed in mission by our
own strength, but only by the power of the Risen Lord.
Jesus allows them to
struggle in order to help them realize their dependence on Him. Once
they confess that they have caught nothing, Jesus tells them to cast the net on
the right side, symbolizing God’s guidance and strength. Their obedience
results in a miraculous catch-a moment that immediately reminds them of
the first such encounter (Lk 5:1-11). The abundance-153 fish-leads John
to recognize Jesus: “It is the Lord” (Jn 21:7). Obedience to Jesus'
words brings success in evangelization—not reliance on our own efforts.
Energized by this
recognition, Peter jumps into the sea-a gesture full of love and
urgency. Perhaps, in his heart, he wanted to reach Jesus first and seek
forgiveness for denying Him three times. The number 153 may symbolically
represent the known varieties of fish at that time, signifying universality-the
mission to all peoples. More importantly, it teaches us that obedience to
Jesus yields fruitfulness in mission.
Once again, Jesus reveals
Himself as a servant, preparing breakfast for His beloved
disciples. He invites them to dine, pointing toward the Eucharistic banquet.
The bread and fish (v.9) symbolize the Eucharist. Compared to the Last
Supper, there is a shift: here, after the Resurrection, the symbols are bread
and fish (rather than bread and wine), and Jesus does not use a traditional
blessing, as He did before His Passion.
In Luke’s Gospel, the Risen
Lord also appears in contexts involving food. On the road to Emmaus, He
takes bread, blesses it, and breaks it-at which point the disciples recognize
Him (Lk 24:30-31, 35). In Jerusalem, He eats cooked fish to prove He is
not a ghost (Lk 24:41-42). It is Jesus who gives Himself to us in the
Eucharist, and He invites us to dine with Him. Interestingly, Jesus asks them
to bring some of their own catch-He blesses the work done in obedience
to His command: “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” (Jn
21:10). In sharing this meal, they come to recognize the Lord (Jn
21:12).
The final part of the
chapter presents the recommissioning of Peter. Jesus asks him three
times, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”-not to humiliate Peter by
recalling his three denials (Jn 18:17, 25–27), but to restore him and
reaffirm his mission. The conversation takes place around a charcoal fire
(Jn 21:9), evoking the earlier scene of Peter’s denial (Jn 18:18).
Jesus' question, “Do you love me more than these?” likely refers
to loving Jesus more than the other disciples, not just more than
fishing or material life. Each time Peter replies, “Yes, Lord; you know that
I love you,” Jesus responds with a commission:
“Feed my lambs.”
“Tend my sheep.”
“Feed my sheep.”
This is not simply about
affection-it’s about pastoral responsibility. Jesus is forming Peter
into a true shepherd, by making him face his brokenness, and then healing and
empowering him. Discipleship requires that we too, like Peter, learn what it
really means to believe and to love Jesus deeply and personally.
This encounter with the
Risen Lord beautifully illustrates the journey of discipleship. Our
weaknesses do not disqualify us from God’s mission-provided we are open to
His grace. Peter’s fall taught him humility and deepened his understanding of
God’s love and purpose.
Throughout Scripture, when
the Lord calls someone by name, it is often followed by a mission.
Having accepted Jesus’ forgiveness, Peter is now ready. And so, Jesus says to
him: “Follow me” (Jn 21:19).
Peter had always loved
Jesus (cf. Jn 6:66-68), even claiming that he would follow Him to death (Jn
13:37). And Jesus now predicts that Peter will one day glorify God
through his martyrdom. In today’s second reading, we hear how Peter suffered
for the name of Jesus:
“They rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the
sake of the name” (Acts 5:41).
Points for Personal
Reflection:
- Do I
see myself in Peter-called by Jesus, broken yet loved, and
recommissioned?
- Jesus
is asking you and me: “Do you love me more than these?” What
is my answer?
- Am I
willing to accept Jesus’ unconditional love and forgiveness, and
follow Him with renewed faith?
Let the love of the Risen Lord rekindle our hearts and recommit our
lives to His mission. May we, like Peter, rise from our failures and follow
Jesus wholeheartedly.
