3rd Sunday of Easter (Year C) – 4th May 2025

Quick Glance Summary

• Theme: Jesus is recognised within experience and in the sharing of food.
• Key Message: The Risen Christ revives his flagging apostle-friends around the sharing of food on the shore. He quietly awaits our recognition of him and will empower us also to proclaim Him..
• First Reading: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 — The apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin, boldly witnessing to Christ despite persecution.
• Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14 — The heavenly vision of all creation worshipping the Lamb who was slain.
• Gospel: John 21:1-19 — Jesus appears to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. To his quiet presence, they say: “It is the Lord.” Jesus invites Peter to profess his love and entrusts him with the care of His flock.

Gospel

John 21:1-19 (NRSV)

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 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 after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to 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 there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish 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, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared 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.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt 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. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Gospel Overview

Each year, the Third Sunday of Easter connects an appearance of the Risen Jesus with the sharing of a meal. There are overtones of the Eucharist here. In this particular, beautiful resurrection scene, Jesus encounters His disciples in the aftermath of Good Friday and the trauma they experienced, even as they try to escape from it. They are slow to recognise him, until after the miraculous catch of fish, and their experience of him having prepared breakfast for them, a tender act of communion. 

At the end of the passage is Jesus' conversation with Peter: three times Jesus asks for Peter’s love, gently healing Peter’s threefold denial during the Passion. In entrusting Peter with the care of His flock, Jesus restores and commissions him, affirming the mission of the Church.

Connecting the Gospel to Today

The disciples go back to something familiar—fishing. It's what they did before Jesus called them. This could parallel how people today, after disillusionment or suffering, retreat into familiar distractions or routines.

Jesus meets them in that space, unrecognised at first, but eventually he is known through abundance, invitation, and shared meal.

Jesus doesn’t force recognition. He waits on the shore, cooking breakfast, gently drawing them into awareness and away from skepticism. This might be quite relevant to those who feel spiritually adrift, post-church, post-faith, or numbed by overexposure to religion.

This Gospel invites a question: Do we skim past our experience? Are there moments that pass us by when they happen but in which we might have seen more if we had been more attuned to them?  Where might Christ be quietly standing on the shore of your life, unnoticed but present?

Like Peter, many people today carry wounds from past failings and betrayals. Jesus meets us where we are, not with condemnation, but with a patient invitation to love and serve anew. The call to "Feed my sheep" challenges us to step into our Christian vocation even when we feel unworthy or hesitant. In a world often driven by self-interest and individualism, the Gospel's call to tend to others with love, care, and perseverance is profoundly counter-cultural.

Reflection Questions

1. Who or what groups might find these readings especially helpful?

• Those struggling with past mistakes: The kindness of Jesus to his friends in general and to Peter in particular reassures anyone burdened by regret that forgiveness is possible.
• Young people discerning their future: The invitation to "Follow me" speaks powerfully to those seeking their path in life.
• Families: The Gospel's focus on care, nurture, and responsibility can inspire family members to serve and support one another. It also calls us to living more attentively so that we notice where God’s grace is present.
• Those feeling distant from faith: Jesus’ gentle and patient presence shows that no one is beyond His reach.
• Priests and pastoral ministers: A reminder of their vocation to feed and tend the flock with love and perseverance.

2. What human weaknesses do they address, and what virtues do they aim to strengthen?

• Weaknesses: Fear of failure, guilt, resignation after mistakes. Being scattered & inattentive.
• Virtues: The value of everyday experience, even when we are not expecting God’s presence. Trust in God’s mercy, perseverance in vocation, humble love and service.

3. What is the feeling tone of each reading?

• First Reading (Acts): Boldness and joyful resilience.
• Second Reading (Revelation): Awe, worship, cosmic hope.
• Gospel (John): Tenderness, calm, healing, recommissioning.

4. Which saints or well-known figures exemplify the message of each reading?

• St Peter: Whose life embodies repentance and missionary zeal.
• St Mary Magdalene: First witness of the resurrection, persistent in love despite brokenness.
• Blessed Carlo Acutis: A modern example of a young disciple who witnessed boldly to Christ through ordinary life.

5. What works of art, poems, or pieces of music provide insight into the message?

• Art: The Miraculous Draught of Fishes by Raphael (1515) — capturing the awe of Christ’s encounter.
• Poetry: The Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson — the pursuit of divine love through human frailty.
• Music: Come, Follow Me (traditional hymn) — a meditation on the personal call of Christ.

6. Where has the message of these readings been true in my life or those close to me, and is there a story I can share about that?

• Many people will recall times when they felt completely ‘done’, or just going through the motions, and yet that is where God meets us. Many priests recall moments when, despite personal struggles, Christ reaffirmed their vocation through unexpected graces or support from the community — moments where the "charcoal fire" of reconciliation warmed the heart anew. Sharing a simple story of how a parishioner’s simple trust, a confession heard, or a struggling soul reached out for mercy could powerfully illustrate the Gospel’s call to "Feed my sheep."

Full Texts of the First and Second Readings

First Reading: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41

When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name.

Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might for ever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshipped.