First Reading: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us."
But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Psalm: Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, "To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!" And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Gospel: John 21:1-19
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe'ri-as; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish.
That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.
Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was 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?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the 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. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go."
(This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."
Reflection
By Benj Santiago
Then he said to him a third time, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt that he asked him a third time, 'Do you love me?' and said, 'Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.
This Sunday, the Third Sunday of Easter, Jesus appeared to His disciples: “This was the third that Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.” (John 21:14)
In this Gospel scene I am amazed that a carpenter teaches fishermen how to fish. They had been out all night: “Jesus called out, 'haven’t you caught anything, friends?' And when they answered, 'No, ‘he said, 'Throw the net out to starboard and you'll find something.' So they threw the net out and could not haul it in because of the quantity of fish.” (John 21:5-6)
The first time Jesus appeared to the disciples, they were in the Upper Room, locked up for fear of the Jewish authorities who were looking for them. In this scene after that first appearance they were already emboldened and had joy and peace in their hearts. The disciples no longer cower in fear but are able to return to their normal life as fishermen.
Then in the final scene in today’s Gospel Jesus is giving his “habilin” (“Last Will”) to Peter by asking him: “‘Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt that he asked him a third time, 'Do you love me?' and said, 'Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.” (John 21: 17)
About 4 years ago I was forced to retire in the company I worked for. I looked for a job but days, weeks, months, and a year passed by but I have not landed a job. I was devastated and afraid of what will be the future of my family. I was like the disciples who caught nothing for a whole night. But as fate would have it, I obeyed the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life. I had a detour. I shifted to another career of helping people get out of debt, save and invest, and get out of employment and be their own business owners. I and my wife shifted our focus not on our own needs but on the needs of others. We spread the love of the Lord through our “Financial Mentoring Ministry”. The more we share (i.e. feed the lambs), the more blessed we are financially. All praise and thanks be to God! “You have turned my mourning into dancing, you have stripped off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. So my heart will sing to you unceasingly, Yahweh, my God, I shall praise you forever” (Psalm 30:11-12)
Reflection
This Sunday, the Third Sunday of Easter, Jesus appeared to His disciples: “This was the third that Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.” (John 21:14)
In this Gospel scene I am amazed that a carpenter teaches fishermen how to fish. They had been out all night: “Jesus called out, 'haven’t you caught anything, friends?' And when they answered, 'No, ‘he said, 'Throw the net out to starboard and you'll find something.' So they threw the net out and could not haul it in because of the quantity of fish.” (John 21:5-6)
The first time Jesus appeared to the disciples, they were in the Upper Room, locked up for fear of the Jewish authorities who were looking for them. In this scene after that first appearance they were already emboldened and had joy and peace in their hearts. The disciples no longer cower in fear but are able to return to their normal life as fishermen.
Then in the final scene in today’s Gospel Jesus is giving his “habilin” (“Last Will”) to Peter by asking him: “‘Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt that he asked him a third time, 'Do you love me?' and said, 'Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.” (John 21: 17)
About 4 years ago I was forced to retire in the company I worked for. I looked for a job but days, weeks, months, and a year passed by but I have not landed a job. I was devastated and afraid of what will be the future of my family. I was like the disciples who caught nothing for a whole night. But as fate would have it, I obeyed the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life. I had a detour. I shifted to another career of helping people get out of debt, save and invest, and get out of employment and be their own business owners. I and my wife shifted our focus not on our own needs but on the needs of others. We spread the love of the Lord through our “Financial Mentoring Ministry”. The more we share (i.e. feed the lambs), the more blessed we are financially. All praise and thanks be to God! “You have turned my mourning into dancing, you have stripped off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. So my heart will sing to you unceasingly, Yahweh, my God, I shall praise you forever” (Psalm 30:11-12)
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