May 5, 2019

3rd Sunday of Easter C
Acts 5: 27-32, 40-41; Revelation 5: 11-14; John 21: 1-19
The stories told in the readings today focus on the responsibility each Christian has to be true witnesses of
Jesus each in our own world. So the reflection is: how are we doing? We have finished the season of Lent,
Holy Week and Easter. We’ve made resolutions, we’ve made changes in our life habits, we’ve reflected on
God’s goodness and Jesus’ total and complete giving and love. So the question stated to us: have we
rehabilitated ourselves? Have we redirected our lives and cleared our eyes and hearts and minds in the
direction as living as Jesus’ followers and as true Christians? We probably respond by saying, ‘Not quite…
but we’re working on it.’ This is a lifelong quest, a journey in faith that lasts as long as our earthly life
exists on earth. But we do have to constantly be updating our spiritual journey and changing our lives with
the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Today’s readings set the scene and gives us practical examples to help us on
our daily trek to the Lord.
Chapter five of Acts starts off looking at the sin of Ananias as Sapphira. They had sold a piece of property,
kept some of the money and gave the remainder, “…and put it at the feet of the apostles.” We would say, ‘Thats
a really nice gesture.’ But the previous chapter verses 32-36 shares the life philosophy of the early Church.
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions as his own, but
they had everything in common…There was no needy person among them for those who owned property or houses
would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles , and they were distributed to
each according to need.” Realizing what this married couple had done, Peter asked, Ananias, why has Satan
filled your heart so that you lied to the Holy Spirit and retained part of the price of the land?” [Finish reading this story, it’s a
powerful one,] Then Acts recounts of the many miracles and signs done by the apostles to those in need and
hurting focusing on the sick. The guards working for the high priests and Sadducees, out of jealousy threw
the apostles in the public jail. After lecturing them, the ‘angel of the Lord’ came and released them, walking
right by the guards. They started preaching of God’s love and Jesus’ teaching and again were arrested and
we begin with today’s first reading. The High priest reminds them that had been given a direct order to stop
preaching in the name of Jesus. This was totally ignored by the apostles. Peter says this today and gives the
tremendous advice for us, “We must obey God rather than human beings.” And Peter invites the high council to
repentance and the forgiveness of their sins of putting Jesus to death. Naturally the council didn’t pay any
attention to the apostles who were not intimidated at all. They left “…rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name (of Jesus).” Am I willing to suffer humiliation, mockery, being
looked at as a ‘religious fanatic’ because I live my Christian faith?
Previously in Acts Christ is identified as the Paschal Lamb without blemish whose blood saved the new
Israel from sin and death. This is the main title for Christ, being used twenty-eight times. John explains in
his vision that he hears the voices of thousands in the heavenly court proclaiming the Lamb of God to be
worthy of all adoration. Then he hears all creation joining in giving praise to the Father and to the Son who
is the Lamb of God. Can I picture myself in this immense crowd lifting up my voice in honor and praise to
God…and not just for one ‘praise hymn’ but on and on, forever? If not, why not? Have I been negligent in
my loving and thanking God? Is gratitude the main component of my heart?
Today’s gospel contains a lengthly story of Jesus with five of His apostles and two disciples. In reading the
previous chapter and its verses (30-31) we can see that these clearly have given a conclusion to John’s
gospel. Scholars maintain that this is a later addition to the fourth Gospel. Now today’s chapter seems to be
a compendium almost as if something had to be added. It shows us that Jesus’ call is universal. Jesus calls
each one of us to live in unity with all people, they are my brothers in sisters. Each person has been called
to share their faith stories and their faith with others. Just the unusual fact of the number of fish caught
being 153 has a message. St. Jerome tells us in his Biblical Commentary that zoology at that time specified
153 different kinds of fish. So the call of Jesus is to be shared to all. Also another fact is that the apostles
net did not break. How could that be possible with such an enormous catch? So even with the diversity of
all peoples, the Christian community need not be torn by divisions.
Now we come to Peter’s interaction with Jesus. Three times Jesus asks if Peter loves Him. Each time Peter
responds without any hesitation and with his total confidence and firm faith with a resounding ‘YES’. Jesus
tells him to feed His lambs and sheep. Peter is reaffirming his love for Jesus and Jesus forgives Peter’s
threefold denial. The final word Jesus says to Peter is to “Follow Me.” This certainly touches the open
wounds of Peter’s denial with reconciling love. How many times have we come to the sacrament of
Reconciliation and said and prayed that ‘I will never commit this sin again.’ We do this with total sincerity.
And we sin again and again! What does this do to us? We feel: ‘I’m just never going to be able to be free
from sin…I will just never get to heaven…I’m just no good and I can’t see how God could possibly forgive
me…Is this that ‘unforgivable’ sin Jesus talked about.’ Jesus is rehabilitating Peter for his important
ministry. He totally shows Peter God’s love and compassion. He is to follow Jesus all the time and God is
with him all the time and helping him all the time and loving him all the time even in the sin that pops up
over and again. In the Catholic tradition of Reconciliation, sorrow for sins has always been a prerequisite
for absolution coupled with the intent of amending my life. The priest gives the penance of three Our
Father’s, three Hail Mary’s or the like and we go on. Peter before this ‘fish story’ NO doubt felt that he
would go to his grave without being able to ‘make things right’ with the Lord face-to-face. Peter’s
rehabilitating, through LOVE, is not intended to make him feel better about himself but to instead free him
for loving service to others. He is to love…do the best he can…knowing he is weak…and will sin…but he
is needed to love and show others the power of love and the power of forgiveness. By asking Peter three
times, Jesus allows Peter to completely erase his shame and get on with the task Jesus assigns him. So must
I…all the time!
So I reflect on:
• Jesus comes to me in the Eucharist to forgive and needs me so that, like Peter, I can undertake the
mission to which I am called by my Baptism: extending God’s love, care and forgiveness to all in my
world and the world.
Sacred Space from 2016 says:
“Peter was not one for sitting around moping; he knew where Jesus had found him before and was confident that his
busyness would not hide him from the Lord. We see him now, directing the activity of the others yet remaining open to
the direction of the stranger. What does this say to me about my own life? Where do I need to take control? How is it
that I need to be open to a voice that calls me beyond myself?
Jesus, You meet me at the water’s edge of my ordinary life. You accept me lovingly, You encourage me, You invite
me to abundance. Nourished by the food of Your word, warmed by the fire of Your unfailing love, may I in turn nourish,
heal, and love those I meet today.”