Reading 1
Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
“We gave you strict orders, did we not,
to stop teaching in that name?
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
But Peter and the apostles said in reply,
“We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles
to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
Reading 2
Rev 5:11-14
I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels
who surrounded the throne
and the living creatures and the elders.
They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,
honor and glory and blessing.”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth
and under the earth and in the sea,
everything in the universe, cry out:
“To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor, glory and might,
forever and ever.”
The four living creatures answered, “Amen, “
and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Gospel
Jn 21:1-19
At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being 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?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
Jesus said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a 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.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Meditation: John 21:1-19
Do you love me? (John 21:15)
Jesus’ questioning of Peter in such a direct way was not intended to make Peter feel guilty. And neither was it an ego trip for the Lord. Jesus didn’t need Peter’s love to feel better about himself. He already knew—better than Peter himself—how much Peter loved him. Rather, Jesus wanted Peter to reach deep within himself and see how much love for the Lord was actually there.
Jesus questioned Peter at a pivotal moment to show that Peter’s love for him was greater than any opposing power that might try to keep him bound in the memory of his failures. He wanted Peter to see that while he would make mistakes, his love for Jesus could still cover a multitude of human failings. This was probably one of the most encouraging interrogations anyone could experience! True, Jesus’ questions must have disturbed Peter. But in the end, they actually restored his faith in himself as a child of God and as a chosen apostle. They helped Peter understand that even in spite of his imperfections, he could still serve Jesus fully.
Today, Jesus asks each of us, “Do you love me?” even though he already knows the answer. We should welcome this kind of questioning. He doesn’t doubt us. He only wants to burn away any unbelief in us with the fire of his love—a love that will create an even deeper love for him in our hearts.
Today at Mass, welcome Jesus into your heart so that he can expand your capacity to love. Yes, you will make mistakes; no one is sinless. But know that as you declare your love to Jesus, he will strengthen you and empower you to take up the work he has called you to. Then your love for him will become the visible proof that his kingdom really has come to earth.
“Jesus, you know how much I love you. Continue refining me with the fire of your love so that I may love you more and show my love to you and my neighbors.”
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Questions for Individual Reflection or Group Discussion
Acts 5:27-32,40-41, Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19
1. In the first reading, we hear these words “So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name” (Acts (5:41). Why do you think the apostles were willing to suffer dishonor for Jesus? Would you be willing to suffer dishonor for Him, because you are a Catholic Christian? Why or why not?
2. In the Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist expresses his total confidence and faith that no matter what happens to him, the Lord will be with him and rescue him. His response to this is rejoicing, praise, and thanksgiving? How does your confidence in the Lord’s protection over your life (and your family) compare to the psalmist? What steps can you take to increase your own confidence and faith in the Lord? Can you share any examples of when the Lord rescued you from a difficult situation? What was your response to it?
3. The second reading gives us a glimpse of the celebration of praise and worship that goes on in Heaven. What is your reaction to this scene in Heaven? What do you think is the basis for this celebration? In what ways can we as Catholics share in this heavenly celebration?
4. In the Gospel reading, what do you think was Jesus’ reasons for his questions to Peter? Why the same question three times? Why do you think Peter seemed to be so uncomfortable with Jesus’ questions?
5. In the meditation, we hear these words, “Today, Jesus asks each of us, “Do you love me?” even though he already knows the answer.” What would be your response to this question from Jesus?
6. The meditation goes on to say these words, “We should welcome this kind of questioning. He doesn’t doubt us. He only wants to burn away any unbelief in us with the fire of his love—a love that will create an even deeper love for him in our hearts.” What are some steps you can take to deepen your love for Jesus? What impact should this have on your service to Jesus and to others?
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