Third Sunday of Easter - Year C
April 10, 2016
Gospel: Jn 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.”
The difficult words
(*) When one is on the shore it means that one is at the
edge of the water; Here, Jesus is at the edge of the Sea of Tiberias.
This week’s spotlight
White
On Easter Sunday, and on the seven Sundays that
follow, the Priest wears a chasuble and a stole in either white or gold over
his alb. This is the color of the Easter period which we call the Paschal
Season. This color of white or gold is the color of light. It reminds us of the
Resurrection of Jesus: it chases away death like the light chases away the
night.
The Lamb of God
The lamb is the animal that the Hebrews sacrificed on the day that God
led them out of Egypt. This lamb was the sign of their liberation. Jesus is
called the Lamb of God in remembrance of this event. He was sacrificed like a
lamb because he was put to death. But his death is also a sign of liberation
for us. Through his death and Resurrection, he has conquered death, set us free
from sin, and allowed us to enjoy eternal life.
Reflection
Jesus is calling you!
Tired, hungry, and frustrated from fishing all night
without a catch, the disciples see the glow of a campfire on the shore. Someone
is calling out to them. Could it be Jesus? Peter is so excited that he jumps
into the water and swims toward the campfire. The other Apostles head for shore
in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. There they find Jesus cooking them
a heavenly breakfast! They are incredibly happy to be with Jesus again. Their
love is too deep for words. Today, Jesus is calling out to you. He loves you as
deeply as he loves the Apostles. He is with you when you are sad or tired or
lonely. He also invites you to a very special meal - the banquet of his Body
and Blood, the Eucharist. In this holy meal, we receive a taste of the union
with Jesus and the saints in heaven that will last for ever!
Discussion questions
2.What happens when the disciples do what Jesus tells them?
3.What meal do they share together?
6.How does Peter answer Jesus?
7.What does Jesus ask Peter to do?
Praying after Communion
After
receiving Holy Communion,
you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you
have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to
receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus, in
communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. In this
Communion with your Son's Body and Blood, I am privileged to share a special
meal with Jesus, just like the Apostles who ate with him on the seashore. May
this Communion deepen my love for you and help me to share that love with
everyone I meet this week.
This week…
Invite someone to the Lord’s table
This week, you can invite a
classmate or a child who lives near you to come to Mass with you. You can
explain to him or her how you pray and how you live your faith as a young
Christian, at catechism, at home, at school...
Nourished by Word and Sacrament
"Come, have breakfast"
is how Jesus invited his disciples to share fish and bread. Today, Jesus offers
us another kind of nourishment: the Word of God and the Sacrament of the
Eucharist. Each Sunday at Mass, we are nourished spiritually when we listen to
the Scriptures and receive Christ’s Body and Blood in Holy Communion.
Crossword Puzzle
