3rd Sunday of Easter C
OBEDIENCE TO GOD…
Dear friends in Christ, today we celebrate the continued presence of the Risen Lord in our midst. His presence gives us the courage to live our Christian commitments even in difficult situations and under various challenges, of the different times in history. In Christ we are conquerors always. Let us open our eyes and our minds to his presence in our midst and in our society even with the confusion of our daily living.
First reading (Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41)
In this passage, the high priest demanded an explanation why the Apostles have refused to obey their directive not to preach again in the name of Jesus. “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on us.” This indicates a concerted approach to evangelisation in the early days of Christianity and the success that greeted their efforts.
Peter’s response was, ’obedience to God comes before obedience to men.’ There are times of conflict between faith and practice. Between what the Church teaches and what the people want. We live in an age, where people now think we should put everything to popularity vote, even issues of morality. It is a time when people feel that the thought of the majority should be the voice of God. Can that be true? Even common sense teaches that the majority can be wrong as it is often the case.
Second reading (Revelation 5:11-14)
In this passage, John’s vision is concentrated on the ‘Lamb that was sacrificed.’ There was a large gathering of angels and animals and elders around the throne shouting, “The lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given power, riches, wisdom, honour, glory…” The sacrifices of old were only in preparation for this one sacrifice of the Lamb of God, who was nailed to the Cross and has by his death won salvation for all who come to God through Him. The whole of creation also joined in this exultant praise in honour of the One who sits on the throne and of the Lamb. The ‘Amen’ confirms the acclamation of all creation which is an appropriate response particularly in this season of the resurrection.
Gospel (John 21: 1-19)
The Gospel passage of today contains three scenes woven into one. It begins with the experience of the disciples who went fishing all night without success and then the meal by the sea side and lastly the test and commissioning of Peter for the leadership of the Church.
The Gospel passage begins with an introduction, “Jesus showed himself again to the disciples.” In the Gospel of John, this is the fourth record of the post resurrection appearance of Jesus, the first being to Mary Magdalene near the tomb, then the appearance to the Disciples in the evening behind locked doors, without Thomas and another appearance on the eight day, with Thomas in attendance. It shows clearly the continued presence of the risen Lord with the disciples.
Peter came up with the idea to go fishing, for what purpose, the evangelist did not say. Obviously they were now back to their known environment, away from Jerusalem. Could it be that the Apostles were beginning to run out of supplies? Could it be for recreational purposes? Were they even getting tired of just staying in the room or a way to deal with their frustrations? They went to sea, but came back the following morning without success. Returning to the shore, they met a stranger who called out to them asking if they had anything; and when they said no, he asked them to throw their net out to starboard and when they did, they caught so much that they were unable to haul it into the boat. This miracle is a quick reminder of how Jesus had called his first set of disciples.
John the beloved disciple, who was the first to believe the resurrection at the empty tomb, was also the first to recognise the Lord in this passage saying, ‘It is the Lord,’ and immediately Peter who had practically no clothes on, was the first to go to the Lord, just as he was the first to enter the tomb.
By the time the Apostles came to the shore, they met Jesus already with bread and also charcoal fire with fish cooking on it? Where did that come from? Did Jesus buy fish and bread ready for their breakfast? No one dared asked him, who are you? They knew, it was the Lord. This is God’s providence at work, he provides even where there is no hope. In the bread and fish, a reminiscent of the miracle of the loaves(Jn 6:11), the Eucharistic theme prevails. And the disciples recognised the Lord as on the way to Emmaus.
Another miracle here is that, with the number of fish and the size described as ‘big’, the net was not broken— a sign of the capacity of the Church to deal with the number of converts that will embrace the faith. John remarked that this was the third time Jesus showed himself to the disciples (not counting the initial appearance to Mary Magdalene at the tomb)
Jesus then turned to Peter and three times asked him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ Three times Peter denied Jesus, three times he had to answer that he loved Jesus. The Lord on each occasion asked him ‘feed my lambs; look after my sheep; feed my sheep’ a powerful image of the job that Peter will have to shoulder in the days and years to follow.
Reading the English translation — we have the same word translated as love the three times Jesus asked Peter— From the Greek translation however, Jesus in the first two times used the word “agape—deep/unconditional/sacrificial/profound love” while Peter responded with “phileo—friendship/not quite the same depth of love.” It seems Peter was not yet ready to give everything, the kind of love Jesus was looking for and so the third time, Jesus used the word Peter has repeated twice—“Phileo” He was willing to take what Peter was prepared to give for now and by that get him to move higher.
A number of lessons are there for us in today’s passage, the experience of the Risen Lord must make us bold, to hold on to our values even in the face of challenges. We must become authentic witnesses to the risen Lord. Faith and values come into play in business, education, community endeavours and family situations—you must stand on the truth of the Gospel. Never attribute your success in anything to just the efforts you put in. God is that force that sparks your success be it in marriage, business and any endeavour. God is with us in worship—be there and prepared. The Eucharist is our food for the journey to make us strong as we face the battle of life. He who died for us is also the one we commune with in the meal and to whom we must witness.
Let us pray: O God, grant us that courage to say with Peter, ’Obedience to God comes before obedience to men.’ May we find joy in doing your holy will. Amen. May the Almighty God bless you, the Father and the son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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