Third Sunday of Easter (Year C)
21.1Later, Jesus himself appeared again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how it happened: 2Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples were together. 3Simon Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.”
They said, “We’ll go with you.” They set out in a boat, but throughout the night they caught nothing. 4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize it was him.
5Jesus called to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
6He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn’t haul in the net. 7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked) and jumped into the water. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they weren’t far from shore, only about one hundred yards.
9When they landed, they saw a fire there, with fish on it, and some bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you’ve just caught.” 11Simon Peter got up and pulled the net to shore. It was full of large fish, one hundred fifty-three of them. Yet the net hadn’t torn, even with so many fish. 12Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
15When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
16Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.”
17He asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was sad that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18I assure you that when you were younger you tied your own belt and walked around wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you’ll stretch out your hands and another will tie your belt and lead you where you don’t want to go.” 19He said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.”
Other readings: Acts 9.1-6 (7-20); Psalm 30; Revelation 5.11-14
Prayer:
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Comments