Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day

In today’s Gospel the risen Lord appears to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He had already appeared to them in the upper room in Jeru- salem—twice—but they still didn’t recognize him until he led them to catch a miraculous number of fish. We too may not recognize the risen Lord in our lives, yet we know he is present—as we gather together, in the Eucharist itself, in those whom we love, in the stranger in need. Let us pray for God’s grace in recognizing the risen Lord in our midst.
 

Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word

Continuing our Easter celebration, we hear accounts of the period following the Resurrection. The Sanhedrin forbade the apostles to preach in the Lord’s name, but they took the reprimand as a badge of honor. The visionary John saw angels and elders praising and worshiping the Lamb. Before ascending to the Father, Jesus appeared again to his disciples and called upon Peter to care for his flock. Let us hear the wonder and joy in the words of those who had seen the risen Lord.
 

Reflections

• It was a motley crew on the boat that morning. Peter, who had denied Jesus. Thomas, who had doubted him. Nathanael, who initially scoffed at the thought of someone important coming from Nazareth. Zebedee’s sons (John and James), who wanted favored seats next to Jesus in the kingdom. These are the folks to whom Jesus chose to reveal himself. What’s more, none of them recognize him standing on the shore, close enough to be heard. He had appeared to them in Jerusalem. Twice. But it is not until they make an incredible catch at his direction that any of them recognize him. Jesus was still who he always was, but something in his appearance had changed in the disciples’ eyes.

• Recognizing the Lord had always proven to be a challenge. Consider that the disciples had never really understood the news that he would suffer and die, but then rise on the third day. In the upper room, they only recognized him when he showed them his hands and his side. Today they recognize him in the miraculous catch of fish. But in the end, he revealed himself by breaking bread with them, just as he had done on the night before he died. Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist, of his Body, of himself, is his continual revelation of himself to us.

• Three times Peter had denied Jesus, so three times Jesus asks Peter to care for his flock. Impetuous Peter, who dares to try to walk on water, who jumps into the sea once again today, who runs to the very one he’d let down, is the one who courageously becomes the spokesperson for the disciples when they are put on trial. Not only does he jump right in to defend their work, he potentially antagonizes the Sanhedrin for its role in putting Jesus to death. He is more than willing to suffer dishonor and punishment for Jesus’ sake.
 

Question of the Week

How have I failed to recognize the Lord when he has appeared?

-from Pastoral Patterns

LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, May 1st, 2022, Third Sunday of Easter.

SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, May 1st, 2022, Third Sunday of Easter.