(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)
3rd Sunday of Easter (C), April 14, 2013
Liturgical readings
Acts 5:27-32, 40-41
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19
"This marked the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples."
If you read the gospel of John, beginning at chapter 20:11, you will find two resurrection appearances of Jesus:
- first, to Mary of Magdala in the tomb area (John 20:11-18);
- and second, to the disciples and Thomas in the upper room (termed the cenacle) (John 20:24-29).
This Sunday's gospel presents a third resurrection appearance. In this resurrection story, Jesus appeared to Peter and to six other disciples. A miracle was performed in this third instance. The miracle involved a sizable amount of big fish (a total of 153, cf. John 21:11) that Peter and his companions caught with great surprise. For when Jesus realized they were having difficulty fishing all night long, and still coming empty-handed, He told them to cast their nets towards the right side of their boat. As the fishermen obeyed, they hauled in a big catch. They then set the boat towards shore and shared a part of this hauled catch with Jesus. It is in this instance that Jesus spoke with Peter again. He reinstated Peter in his role as leader of the nascent Christian community by testing Peter's commitment to love Him and take care of His flock of followers.
Jerome Neyrey, in his book, "The Resurrection Stories", confirms that the three "question-answer" form found in this Sunday's gospel, is intended to offset the triple denial of Peter (cf. John 13:38, 18:27). Remember that Peter denied Jesus three times when people noticed him as one of His followers after the arrest of Jesus. After those three denials, the cock crowed as prophesied by Jesus. Author Jerome Neyrey also adds that this resurrection appearance-event is an example of how a significant person in the early church traditionally describes the followers of Jesus by recalling their former sins. Thus, Simon Peter, who was restored as the shepherd of Jesus' flock, is always remembered as the apostle who denied the Lord three times. Jerome Neyrey also notes that Matthew is remembered as the former tax collector; Mary of Magdala as one whom Jesus drove out seven demons; and Paul as a former persecutor of the Church.
The Lord Jesus did not intend to call perfect men and women to follow Him in building God's Kingdom. Instead, he chose ordinary people, and sinners as well. The Church in our own time does not also call perfect men and women. God calls in the same way as Jesus does: He invites ordinary folks and repentant sinners to return or be baptized in the Church. When sinners return to the fold of the Church, the Church restores their place again in God's Household - a Household where both the prodigal sons and daughters, as well as jealous and righteous "elder brothers", are welcome, and are both treated as sons by the Father. So there is hope. There is a sure way back to God. And God-in-Jesus takes the initiative - as exemplified in today's Gospel by appearing to Simon Peter. In the same way, the presence of the Risen Lord in the Eucharist does not hesistate to re-enter the lives of His sons and daughters again. The Risen Lord in the Eucharist calls all to renew their commitment to God in their baptismal consecration. When Jesus re-enters peoples' lives and opens again the door to His Kingdom, let all hearts be ready to renew their baptismal consecration.
