Third Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19
This Sunday's readings recount how the resurrected Jesus transforms Peter and the other apostles from frightened failures into courageous witnesses to the Gospel and loving pastors for the Christian community. We can sing the refrain of the responsorial psalm in the spirit of the rehabilitated Peter: "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me" (Ps 30).
In Acts, Peter and the other apostles give fearless testimony to the Resurrection before a hostile Sanhedrin. At an earlier trial, this supreme judicial council had ordered Peter not to speak to anyone in Jesus' name (see Acts 4:1-17), but he has continued his courageous witness to Jesus and has even been imprisoned, only to be miraculously delivered by an angel so that he could continue to teach about the risen Lord (see 5:12-26). Now, when reminded of the previous order, Peter and the other apostles courageously proclaim:
Better for us to obey God than men! The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus whom you put to death, "hanging him on a tree." He whom God has exalted at his right hand as ruler and savior is to bring repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. We testify to this....
The second reading continues the selections from Revelation by recounting John's vision of the heavenly throne room and the praise given to Jesus, "the Lamb that was slain." It consoles the persecuted churches of Asia Minor with the assurance that the crucified and risen Jesus controls the outcome of history. The context for this reading is the dilemma over who is worthy to open and break the seven seals on the scroll in God's right hand (Rev 5:1-10). Breaking the seals will unleash terrifying events leading to the triumph of God's kingdom over the forces of evil (see Rev 6-7). When no one is found worthy to open the scroll or examine it, John weeps, but then he is told by one of the elders:
Do not weep. The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed, enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals.
John immediately sees the Lamb that was slain and hears the praise given by the angels, the four creatures, the elders, and the whole heavenly court:
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and praise!.... To the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, be praise and honor, glory and might, forever and ever!
In the Gospel, John's account of Jesus' appearance to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias in Galilee has interwoven three incidents: a miraculous catch of fish (21:2-8; 10-11), a meal (21:9,12-14), and Jesus' dialogue with Peter (21:15-19). Each section makes important affirmations about Resurrection faith. In the miraculous catch of fish episode, the risen Jesus transforms Simon Peter and the other apostles from ordinary fisherman, who had fished all night without catching anything, into successful apostles who haul ashore an un-torn net with 153 sizable fish, a catch which symbolizes the church's universal mission. When Jesus appears at daybreak on the shore, addresses them as "children" (see 1 John 2:13,18; 3:7), and instructs them, "cast your net off the starboard side," they immediately take so many fish they cannot haul in the net. As in last Sunday's Gospel, the beloved disciple is the first to recognize Jesus, followed by the impetuous Peter who jumps into the water and comes to shore.
The meal scene has Eucharistic overtones that recall the multiplication of the loaves and fishes in John 6. Jesus acts as host who invites the disciples with the words: "Come and eat your meal." He then comes over to them, takes the bread and gives it to them, and does the same with the fish. In being fed by Jesus, the disciples come to know that "it is the Lord."
Finally, Jesus' dialogue with Peter reverses his triple denial in the trial scene (John 18:17,25-26) and establishes him as the shepherd and martyr who will carry on Jesus' own role in the church (see John 10). In the farewell discourse, loving Jesus is linked with keeping his commandments (see John 14:15; 15:10). Now Peter, who three times professes his love for Jesus, receives the command to feed and tend Jesus' flock. Also, like the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep (see John 10:11-18), Peter will die a martyr's death in fulfilling his pastoral mission:
I tell you solemnly: as a young man you fastened your belt and went about as you pleased; but when you are older you will stretch out your hands, and another will tie you fast and carry you off against your will.
(This column originally appeared in The Providence Visitor)
