3rd Sunday of Easter  - Year C

Gospel for the day - 3rd Sunday of Easter

John 21:1-19
‘Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.’



At that time: Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, 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 shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have 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, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 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 metres off.


When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out 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, one 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.’ He said to him a second time, ‘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 used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.’ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’



This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.



Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week. Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts.
If you are interested  in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word from any of the resources you have watched please email us.         
cluster.alpha@outlook.com



Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


At the start of today's gospel, the disciples are at a loss. The reality of the risen Jesus is beyond their comprehension; they don't know how to fit him into their experience. So they turn to the familiarity of their old ways, fruitless though these may be, looking for safety and a sense of control over the situation. Are we, too, tempted to return to our old ways because the Risen Christ is beyond our understanding and imagination? 


The Resurrection means no turning back. We are called to a new life. We are entrusted with a mission. Do we recognise Jesus in the people we meet? Do we trust him enough to cast our net on the other side? Are we joyous enough to jump into the water? Do we love him enough to look after his lambs, above all the suffering?


  1. Share a moment when you broke the mould and cast your net on the other side or jumped into the water.
  2. In what ways are you answering Jesus’ command to Peter to “feed my sheep”?*





Prayers of Intercession


As we give thanks for the life and leadership of Pope Francis, we are invited to pause – to breathe, to remember and to reflect. His example of humility, mercy and joyful service calls each of us to live with greater compassion and courage. May this moment be an opportunity to recommit ourselves to the mission he so beautifully modelled: To be a Church that welcomes, heals and walks alongside all people as beloved children of God.
 Hear us, Risen Lord... Our Resurrection and Life


We pray for the Church as it moves into this time of transition. May the Cardinals and all the clergy be inspired by the Holy Spirit in their deliberations.
Hear us, Risen Lord... Our Resurrection and Life


May each of us in this Church community understand our importance and find our best place to participate as missionary disciples. May our hearts be open to welcome the love of God and share it without reserve.
Hear us, Risen Lord... Our Resurrection and Life


We pray for Kaya and her family, who today in her baptism has been given the pledge of eternal life.
Hear us, Risen Lord... Our Resurrection and Life


We pray for all those who are suffering due to illness, loneliness, injustice or poverty and those who care for them. We include those who are named on the Prayer Foundation list.
Hear us, Risen Lord... Our Resurrection and Life


May the love of God which reaches beyond the grave be with us at the end of our days on earth and with those we love. May those who have gone before us rest in eternal peace. We remember those who have died especially Pope Francis, Carmine De Feo, Eleanor Rowley, Linda Reid, Margaret Hadaway, Gerry Monaghan, Mary McAuley, Sr Christine Triay, Elaine Houliston, Anne Reilly, Alex Thomson, & Asok Sen Gupta. And we pray for all whose life is saddened by the death of a loved one and that God will be with them in their loneliness.

Hear us, Risen Lord... Our Resurrection and Life



We will now say together the prayer to be missionary disciples.

Cluster prayer

Lord continue to bless our community in this time of transition.

Help us on our journey to grow from a maintenance church to a missionary church.
Give us the courage to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship; narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and prejudice.

Kindle in us the fire of your love that all who come here will find joy, peace and love.

Make this a house of prayer and a gateway to your kingdom.

AMEN

Preparing for next week -  4th Sunday of Easter

John 10:27-30 ‘I give eternal life to my sheep.’

At that time: Jesus said, ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


The gospel this week takes place in the temple. Just prior to this, the authorities there try to get Jesus to say in plain terms that he is the Christ, so that they can accuse him of blasphemy. Jesus doesn't deny that he is Christ, but instead says that he has shown them by word and deed who he is - they just don't believe. Jesus describes us all as sheep. He is the shepherd, someone who, by his words and actions, cares for and tends their flock. The difference between the sheep is that some can hear him and others cannot. The image of being a sheep is perhaps as important as that of Jesus as a shepherd. It is an image that requires humility - we do not normally think of ourselves as sheep. Perhaps that is what Jesus' adversaries lacked; they did not have the humility to see themselves as sheep, but continually sought to be seen as shepherds. In doing so, they listened only to themselves and not to the word of Christ. The shepherd would have been expected to protect their flock with their lives, and Jesus was to show his unconditional love on Calvary. The gospel presents us both, with the wonderful image of Jesus shepherding us safely to our ultimate destination and the contrasting image of the those who simply cannot hear the voice because their own interests and egos are too important. They are unable to follow Jesus in the way he wants to be followed.



  1. How often do we pray for the grace to honestly listen to what Jesus is saying without succumbing to the temptation of interpreting it to our advantage?
  2. Whom do you try to protect as Christ protects you?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center