3rd Sunday of Easter 

My dear parishioners,

God is Good!!!  All the time!!!  And all the time!!!  God is Good!!!

This reading is part of yet another dramatic episode from Acts, exhibiting the failure of earthly efforts to curtail the power of the gospel. The high council had the apostles arrested for refusing to abide by its decisions (Acts 5:17–18). But, as Peter told the council earlier, the apostles had to listen to God (Acts 4:19–20). Even prison could not contain the apostles. A messenger of God freed them and directed them to continue preaching in the temple area (Acts 5:19–26). As this reading begins, the high council has taken the apostles into custody once again.

The apostles stand before the high priest as did the Lord after his arrest. The high priest charges them with ignoring a direct command from the council not to teach in the name of “that man.” Instead, they have filled the city with their teaching. In the opinion of the high priest, the apostles want to bring “this man’s” blood upon them. Peter reminds them they must obey God.  Then he corrects the high priest’s thinking about their motive. The God of their fathers raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him as leader and savior “to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.” Peter concludes as he began, on the theme of obedience. God has granted them as faithful witnesses the gift of the Holy Spirit to speak as they do.

The high council cannot intimidate the apostles. In fact, one of their own counseled them to let the apostles alone, warning that otherwise they may end up opposing God (Acts 5:33–39).  The apostles are dismissed; they rejoice at being found worthy to endure dishonor “for the sake of the name.”

Today’s Gospel combines a story about a miraculous catch of fish with a recognition story. The disciples have apparently returned to their home territory of Galilee and resumed their former occupation as fishermen. With the death of Jesus, it was back to business as usual. The trouble is, however, that it is not business as usual because they cannot catch any fish.

But, after the catching of the fish, when they all get to shore, they find Jesus preparing a meal of fish and bread. He invites them to contribute some of the fish they have just caught and calls them to have breakfast. There is nothing normal about any of this. The huge catch of fish is strange. The net could hardly hold all the fish, yet it is not torn. It is Jesus himself who gives the bread and fish to the disciples to eat. No one asks any questions, but now everyone knows who this Jesus really is. The passage ends with the rehabilitation of Peter. He is asked three times if he loves Jesus, and each time he responds yes. This is to counter his three denials of Jesus. He is then invited once again to follow Jesus and feed his sheep. This time he will be successful because now he has experienced the risen Lord and been fed by him.

Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org. All rights reserved

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Aloysius